PNG Power workers submit list of grievances

 By HELEN REI
PNG Power Limited (PPL) workers are calling on the company management, board and the union to immediately address their long standing grievances.
Top on the list is their opposition to an agreement between the Pacific Assurance Group, PNG Power and the board on an insurance cover for staff which they said they were not consulted on.
They want the agreement cancelled and money already deducted from their pay reimbursed.
The workers claim that numerous requests had been made to the PNG Energy Workers Association regarding salary review, pay increases and other incentives as per the 2012 Enterprise Agreement signed between the union, management and industrial relations for three years.
About 400 workers signed the petition and more signatures are being obtained.
The company has a staff ceiling of 2,400, including casuals.
The management and the union have promised to discuss the demands raised by the workers.
The workers said there had been too much publicity on problems facing the company, which had created uncertainty and instability, thus affecting workers.
The Independent Public Business Corporation Act states that all payments over K1 million have to be approved by it.
The salary of staff is well above the limited amount so needs the IPBC approval.
The workers demand that IPBC immediately lift the restrictions and pay all their dues as per the 2012 agreement including the overdue salary structure review.
The other issue was the installation of fibre optic cable on PPL power poles which workers say clearly compromised their safety.