Parties discussing job losses

By HELEN TARAWA
DISCUSSIONS are currently underway between the PNG Trade Union Congress (PNGTUC), the Employers Federation and the Department of Labour and Industrial Relations on the issue of job losses as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
PNGTUC general secretary Clemence Kanau, in response to the questions about the displacement of workers during the Covid-19 period, told The National that ongoing discussions were being held between parties.
The PNGTUC announced in April that more than 10,000 jobs in the private sector had been lost as a result of the government’s decision to institute a state of emergency and nationwide lockdown.
“We’ve established an understanding with the Employers Federation as a tripartite team also with the Department of Labour and Industrial Relations.
“We also have ongoing discusses with secretary Ravu Vagi about the issue of displacement of workers during the Covid-19.
“We understand it’s a tough road going down because the employers obviously will be thinking of their profit,” he said.
Kanau said they were aware of the stimulus package indicated by the government which until today had not been going through.
“It’s a sad tale as most of our workers up to today are not being accommodated in terms of continuity in employment, in terms of returning to employment.
“Some of those that are affected are unfortunately being laid off,’ he said.
“We don’t really have an update of how many more have left jobs since our announcement of more than 10,000 workers being affected.
“Our friends from the Employers Federation are in discussions with us to be able to establish that and we hope as an ongoing activity that is an issue that we can addressed in the near future,” Kanau said.