PNGCCI supports action

THE PNG Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PNGCCI) supports the removal of illegal foreigners operating businesses in the country, says president John Leahy.
It followed the operation conducted by Government officials on Jan 19 resulting in the rounding up of 20 foreigners for breaching visa and work permit conditions.
“The PNG Chamber of Commerce and Industry has been a strong advocate for the enforcement of laws against non-compliant businesses,” Leahy said.
“This extends to unlicensed businesses operated by illegal immigrants, and extends to other areas.
“These includes business taxation, remittance of salary or wages tax, enforcement of minimum wages and industrial awards, building and product standards, remittance of superannuation contributions, health and safety standards among other matters.
“We encourage the Government to enforce the laws across the country.
“Because the existence of such illegally operating businesses places genuine small and medium enterprises at a competitive disadvantage.
“We see this as a key strategy that the government should adopt to encourage the growth of small businesses.”
He said some agencies had failed to address the illegal operation of some businesses.
“For example, we have seen many examples of the Internal Revenue Commission (IRC) conducting enforcement activity against registered businesses while ignoring competitors in the same market who are not registered,” he said.
“This is very bad for business and very inefficient from a revenue collection point of view.”