Union warns employers

 By ABIGAIL APINA 

A TRADE unionist has warned employers in East New Britain that it is illegal to stop workers from joining unions of their choice.

Patrick Varagat, the acting general secretary of the East New Britain General Workers Union, said it constituted a breach of workers’ rights.

“It would be a breach of workers’ rights to stop them from joining the union as enshrined in the Constitution and also in the Industrial Organisation Act of 1962,” Varagat said. 

He said it was a fundamental right of workers which must be recognised and respected by employers. 

He urged workers to join the ENB General Workers Union and not be scared about being reprimanded.

Varagat said the union had started its recruitment drive for new members in the public and private sectors.

“There is sufficient evidence everywhere in PNG and East New Britain that employers do not like their employees joining unions as they feel threatened, resulting in workers being terminated from their employment,” Varagat said.

He said he would work closely with Labour Department officers to take strong action against employers who prevent their employees from joining unions.

Varagat also said a lot of workers were still being underpaid and denied allowances such as overtime, heavy duty and camping as stipulated in the labour legislations.

“The onus is on workers in the province to come forward and become members of the union,” he said.