EVERY hardworking Papua New Guinean deserves a comfortable retirement, whether they are on a formal payroll, running a small roadside business, or earning a living in the informal economy.
That was the strong message delivered by Nasfund Head of Marketing and Stakeholder Engagement, Melanie Lavaki, speaking on behalf of Nasfund CEO, Rajeev Sharma at the recent Papua New Guinea Trade Union Congress (PNGTUC) and International Labour Organization (ILO) partnership workshop in Port Moresby.
The three-day workshop, Training for Trainers on Organising Methods, Strategies and Practices, centered on strengthening awareness of national policies, labour laws, and social protection frameworks for informal workers, while mapping out ways trade unions can better organise and support the sector.
During a session focused on the present and future of social protection in the country, Lavaki addressed the widespread misconception that superannuation is only meant for employees in large, formal corporate offices. While employer contributions are compulsory for larger businesses, she reminded participants that smaller businesses with fewer than 15 employees and individual earners can easily save for their retirement through voluntary contributions.
To support this, Lavaki highlighted Eda Supa, Nasfund’s voluntary superannuation product tailored specifically for workers in both the formal and informal spaces, including self-employed tradespeople, market vendors, and non-citizens.
“Our aspiration at Nasfund is to see legislative reforms make superannuation access a mandatory right for every worker in PNG,” Lavaki said.
She challenged union representatives to actively promote superannuation as a vital source of replacement income in retirement, helping ordinary workers plan for long-term financial security rather than just focusing on when they finish working.
Lavaki also shared key policy recommendations put forward by the Association of Superannuation Funds of Papua New Guinea (ASFPNG), spearheaded by Nasfund CEO and ASFPNG President Rajeev Sharma.
The reform package calls for:
- Universal superannuation coverage that explicitly captures informal economy workers;
- Stronger legal protections for worker contributions and tougher employer accountability; and
- Improved superannuation literacy and better preservation of retirement savings.
Through continued advocacy for broader coverage and stronger workplace protections, Nasfund maintains its drive toward a future where every worker in the country can end their professional lives and retire comfortably.
