The Prime Minister (PM) and Treasurer James Marape has issued a directive to the Department of Labor and Employment, emphasizing the urgent need to address the longstanding minimum wage issue for workers in the country. The directive, according to a statement, comes in the wake of a meeting between PM Marape and Labor and Employment Minister Kessy Sawang, where discussions revolved around various challenges faced by the department. “The minimum wage issue has been outstanding since 2014,” Marape stated. “I have instructed Minister Sawang that the minimum wage of K3.50 per hour should be reviewed to align with the escalating…
Author: Tennyalle TAGETE
Over the past two weeks, health workers at the Situm Health Center in the Morobe province have been attending to a large number of influenza cases. A health worker at the health center, who wishes to remain anonymous, stated that some of these cases were laced with diseases such as malaria, pneumonia and other common diseases. “There is a flu virus going around, if someone in the family gets it, everybody will get it.” “Some come with malaria, so we run tests and treat accordingly. If tests show its malaria, we treat them for malaria.” The health worker also said…
Police pay has been corrected in Department of Finance systems, with no unwarranted deductions to occur in pay two of 2024. The Acting Police Commissioner has engaged with the Department of Finance to ensure that police pay is returned to normal from pay two of 2024, and reimbursements are made to all police personnel in pay three of 2024. Acting Police Commissioner, Donald Yamasombi in a statement said that the mistake was made by the overall government finance system and should never have occurred, so it is being rectified by RPNGC management. However, technical limitations in the Finance Department pay…
The Southern Highlands Provincial (SHP) Government has taken a significant stride in fostering enhanced air connectivity within the region. Today, it proudly announces that advancement of K2 million to PNG Air, a move to subsidize passenger air travel to and from Mendi. This strategic initiative is underpinned by a multifaceted vision aimed at driving socio-economic growth within the Southern Highlands Province. The key objectives include promoting efficient and affordable connectivity for SHP residents and businesses with the rest of Papua New Guinea, facilitating market access for local commodities, and positioning SHP as an attractive travel destination. Chief Executive Officer for…
BSP Financial Group Limited’s People and Culture Team recently donated medical items with an estimated value of K30, 000 to the Sir Buri Kidu Heart Institute at the Port Moresby General Hospital on Thursday 18th January 2024. These items include Wheelchairs, Digital Weighing Scales, Height Measuring Tapes, USB Blood Glucose Meter & Lancing Device, Led Otoscopes, stethoscopes, Digital Body Thermometers and Blood Pressure Monitors. Head of BSP Employee Relation Kila Nouairi with the Head of OSB Support, Ray Baloiloi and the BSP People and Culture team made the presentation to Cardiologist and Director of the Sir Buri Kidu Heart Institute,…
Investigations are underway into the contributing factors and the breakdown in security measures leading to significant civil unrest in Port Moresby on 10th January 2024. A five-member investigative team began its work on 11th January at the direction of the National Executive Council, under the leadership of the Chief Secretary to Government, Ivan Pomaleu, and Secretary for Department of Justice & Attorney-General, Dr Eric Kwa. “Interviews with relevant parties are underway through the current week with the investigation anticipated to take place over fourteen days,” Mr Pomaleu noted. “It is important this investigation be undertaken immediately after the events, as…
Rugby Union athlete Joanne Butler’s hard work and determination has finally paid off as she received a scholarship placement and contract with the ACT Brumbies on the 14th of January 2024, at a small function attended by representatives from PacificAus Sports, the Australian Acting Commissioner, PNGRU Officals, Coaches and officials. In a media statement, PNG Rugby Union proudly extended its heartfelt congratulations to Joanne Butler on her achievement. The ACT Brumbies compete in Australia’s Super W Rugby Competition and this placement marks a momentous milestone in Butler’s rugby career and for PNGRU. “This achievement is a direct outcome of the…
Treasurer Ian Ling Stuckey, following the Wednesday 10th January incident, has come out to say that shameful individuals have misinformed the public about the government’s K1, 617 million combined Household Assistance Package from 2022 to 2024. Mr. Ling Stuckey in statement said that the Marape-Rosso Government understands the cost of living pressures facing families and that unlike any previous government, a specific package of measures was introduced to deal with these pressures. “This involved cutting taxes and increasing school subsidies. The facts are clear. Yet there are those that continue to promote instability that continue to misrepresent these tax cuts,…
The Port Moresby General Hospital Accident and Emergency (A&E) department received a surge in fatal cases that resulted from the looting incidents on Wednesday, 10th January. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Port Moresby General Hospital, Dr. Paki Molumi stated that there was a total of sixty cases that they had received and attended to from the 10th -11th January, of which fifty-seven were males and three were females. A total of nine male deaths were recorded from the cases received at the Emergency Department. Four were declared dead on arrival, four declared dead soon after arrival and one who died…
The nation’s electricity giant, PNG Power Limited have assured electricity consumers and the general public that it will continue to play its role as the electricity provider during this challenging time. “We completely dispel rumors circulating that there will be power outages nationwide and spreading information on planned strikes by employees.” Acting Chief Executive Officer of PPL, Nehemaiah Naris has assured public in a media statement that at this time, PNG Power’s primary concern is to ensure that there is power supply to all our customers nationwide. “In the last two days, our teams have been on standby and attended…