Students urged to stay at home

By DULCIE OREKE
TEACHERS and students in the national capital have been urged not to attend classes today.
And businesses have been warned to take extra precautions in light of the planned peaceful protest in front of Parliament House today by members of the trade unions and coalition partners.
PNG Teachers Association general secretary Ugwalubu Mowana yesterday advised students and teachers to stay at home as a safety measure.
The planned demonstration engineered by the PNG Trade Union Congress, non-governmental and civil society organisations and university students is to protest against the recent passing by parliament of two controversial laws – the Judicial Conduct Act and the Supreme Court Amendment Bill.
Mowana also advised private-run schools to allow staff and students to stay at home as a precautionary measure.
He said while they supported the Trade Union Congress and civil societies, the lives of teachers and students had to be protected.
Yesterday was the first day back at school for students following the first term holidays.
The Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in an email to its members, said it was unlikely that a nationwide strike would be staged.
“There is likely to be localised trouble in the usual hotspots by criminal elements going to and returning from the demonstration, but there will unlikely
be widespread violence or damage.
“Businesses in and around the Waigani area should be on alert and any non-essential travel to that area should be avoided,” the chamber statement said.
Some businesses had advised their staff not to turn up for work in uniform to avoid harassment by those supporting the trade unions’ protest.