Marie Stopes Papua New Guinea (MSPNG) is proud to announce that it has launched a Housing Support and Home Ownership Policy for its employees. MSPNG Country Director Dr David Ayres made the announcement during the recent MSPNG staff retreat held at Loloata Island Resort. Dr Ayres said MSPNG seeks to become an employer of choice in the health and non-profit sectors in PNG, and ensuring staff are remunerated fairly and reasonably is an important part of achieving that. “MSPNG recognizes that for our staff, the cost of accommodation often absorbs a large percentage of their annual income, and often diminishes their capacity to meet other essential household expenses,” Ayres said. “Some of our staff are at the beginning of their working lives, and trying to make ends meet. Others are more established and are thinking about purchasing a home, but struggle to save the deposit which would qualify them for a loan.” The MSPNG Housing Support and Home Ownership Policy provides staff with a choice, designed to meet their needs at the different stages of their lives. Staff can elect to receive a housing allowance, which provides essential support to weekly living expenses, or to participate in a home ownership scheme, which positions them for eventual home purchase (or renovation). Ayres added that the new policy serves three inter-related aims. “The first is to improve MSPNG staff welfare,” he said. “The second is to increase MSPNG’s profile as an employer of choice, particularly among workers in health services. And the third is to improve staff retention, which impacts organisational efficiency and effectiveness.” Housing support payments for all MSPNG staff commenced on 10th of August 2021.