Trade unions want Govt to reimburse savings

By HELEN TARAWA
TWO trade unions want the Government to reimburse workers who withdraw their retirement savings from the superfunds during the state of emergency.
The PNG International Transport Federation and PNG Energy Workers Union support the Cabinet decision to have the Superannuation’s (General Provisions) Act 2013 amended by Parliament to allow members to access the money.
PNG Energy Workers Union general secretary Santee Margis said the law should have provisions for member’s savings to be reimbursed.
Margis said members who had been hospitalised should be allowed to access their funds.
“We agree with the government’s decision but they must consider repaying the employees savings and allowing members seeking medical attention locally or overseas to access the funds,” Margis said.
Federation president Eddie Foe welcomed the Government decision to work with superfunds on the relief measure.
But he said the savings should be repaid when things returned to normal.
“There has not been any positive response from the Government on our calls for no job losses,” Foe said.
“We are the voice of the silent majority and we will review our action.”
The federation is made up of the National Airline Employees Association, the Maritime Workers Union, the PNG Energy Workers Union and the Flight Attendants Association with a membership of about 20,000. They are discussing the matter with the Department of Labour and Industrial Relations through the Industrial Registrar.