Strike affects market users

 CONSUMERS who went to the Mt Hagen market on Wednesday had to return home empty-handed after a strike by farmers who supply farm produce.

Fast-food outlet owners operating in the city and companies engaged with mining centres supplying fresh vegetables were stranded at the empty market.

The strike was staged on Monday by farmers from Upper Nebilyer and lower and upper Kagul over claims of ill-treatment by the market management.

The situation will continue until the farmers get a favourable response from the market authorities.

Winis Alinga, a spokesman for the upper Nebilyer growers, said they had been over-charged by the market management.

No comment could be obtained from the market authorities.

Alinga, who claimed to be speaking on behalf of farmers from Hap-Wara, Pokorapugl, Lgend, Kamaka and Pinza, said they were the main suppliers of fresh vegetables and potatoes.

But they were disappointed with the manner in which they had been treated.

He said people who claimed to be market workers were charging vendors illegally while others asked them for cash.

He said workers even came out of the market gate and demanded fees while they werestill trying to unload their cargo.

“This is a matter of concern and appropriate authorities should act immediately to sort it out,” he said. 

Kagul farmer Kevin Nelson said the Mt Hagen market officials were abusing their rights.

Nelson from Kanimba tribe said that their mothers and wives were being over-charged by the workers and forcing them to make a loss in their sale.