PNG Ports aims to improve work conditions

THE Papua New Guinea Ports Corporation Ltd is doing all it can to improve working conditions of its employees, chief executive officer Brian Riches said.
He said the company understood the importance of its employees in meeting the challenges of operating in a competitive commercial environment and had invested significant resources in developing a positive relationship with employees through improved communication, greater involvement in decision-making and the implementation of remuneration and benefits that improved working conditions. 
“The organisation is striving to improve human resource management and put in place effective human management policies, procedures and systems based on international best practices,” he said.
Riches made this comment in responding to articles recently published in the daily newspapers about the PNG Maritime and Transport Workers Unions intention to push for a new log of claims.
He said he was concerned that the union had failed to contribute meaningfully to the development and implementation of appropriate terms and conditions for company employees.
“The union is now attempting to take a free ride on the company’s initiatives by putting forward the log of claims that has nothing new and will not bring forth any improved benefits,” he said.
Riches said the improvement of employee welfare and terms and conditions of employment had been one of his prime objectives since taking office.
Some benefits employees are receiving as a result of these initiatives include attractive/flexible salary packages; a loyalty recognition bonus; an employee retention strategy; training and development opportunities; a life skills programme to improve the health and well-being of employees; assistance for employees to save money and access loans through the PNGPCSL Savings and Loans Society and the implementation of grievance and dispute resolution procedures.
 “As the chief executive officer, I am both personally committed to and place a strong emphasis on ensuring that PNGPCL employees are well rewarded with both financial and non-financial benefits,” he said.
“We have an active programme in place moving forward to examine new initiatives for further enhancing the benefits programme for individual staff as well as extending these benefits to employees’ families.”
He said throughout the world, industrial awards were becoming less popular among the working population because of the lack of flexibility they had in meeting the needs of modern families.