Public servants must help enforce laws: Official

ENFORCING immigration laws and work permits issued to foreigners needs the support of all public servants, an official says.
Immigration officer John Bria is the taskforce coordinator and head of the special investigation team looking into the visa status of foreigners in the country.
The taskforce arrested 15 foreigners in Western Highlands, Jiwaka, Chimbu and Eastern Highlands in the past four weeks for breaching their conditions of entry and work permits.
He said the 15 from various Asian countries were arrested by Immigration and Labour department officers with the assistance of police.
The inspections were conducted in Mt Hagen, Jiwaka, Kundiawa, Goroka, Kainantu and Yonki.
Bria said the Labour and Employment Department issued them infringement notices which could amount to millions of kina.
“We are enforcing the laws to ensure foreigners and investors comply with the laws and regulations governing entry and work permits,” he said.
“We are here to promote investments and at the same time enforce laws to ensure foreigners comply with them while in the country.”
Bria said the foreigners had entered the country with valid documents which then expired without renewal.
“Others have failed to comply with the conditions of the entry and work permits,” Bria said.
“For example, foreigners with visas allowing them to work in a particular province are found elsewhere. This is an offence under the Immigration Act and under the Employment of Non-citizens Act administered by the Department of Labour and Employment.”