Union still waiting on tribunal decision

THE PNG Maritime and Transport Workers Union made extensive submissions to the Arbitration Tribunal in relation to the improved terms and conditions of employment for our members.
In accordance with the provision of our Industrial Relations Act, the establishment of an arbitration tribunal is to settle industrial disputes between the union and the employers is compulsory.
The tribunal hearing commenced around August 2020 and was completed about March 2021, during that time the tribunal travelled to Madang and received witness evidence from both the union and RD Tuna Cannery.
More than 10 months have now elapsed since the tribunal completed all its hearings on the industrial disputes and claims, and the tribunal still has not handed down its decisions on the union submission for improved wages and conditions of employment for its members.
The arbitration tribunal in failing its mandatory duty and responsibility to settle the industrial disputes is denying industrial justice to the parties to the industrial disputes, and in particular to members of the union.

Mea Arua
PNG Maritime and Transport
Workers Union
National Vice-President