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Call to Modernize the Employment Act

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BCW Survey - Employment Act

A survey carried out by the Business Coalition for Women (BCFW) has suggested for the government to modernize the Employment Act.

The suggestion among others, draws on evidence from BCFW’s nationally representative survey of 2,026 Papua New Guineans, published earlier this week.

The survey is the first in recent years to collect data on earnings of Papua New Guineans and the first to estimate the gender earnings gap in PNG.

With the budget sitting this week, BCFW has put forward three main suggestions for the Marape-Rosso Government to consider. The major one is to “Commit to Modernizing the Employment Act”.

The organization that forces on empowering women leaders believes that this would be a “quick win” for the government on jobs – benefitting both women and men.

While the organization acknowledges the government’s keen interest in reviewing the Employment Act, they suggest the following to be included in the amendment;

· Introduce paid maternity leave (currently the Act includes only unpaid maternity leave).
· Introduce paid paternity leave for fathers (currently, there is no paternity leave).
· Strengthen anti-discrimination protection for women who are pregnant or are new
mothers (e.g. prohibit dismissal of pregnant workers).
· Remove Sections 98 and 99 which prohibit women work in underground mining,
heavy labour, and at night in industrial settings.

From it’s research, BCFW found that a sizable number of women (31%) would be interested in night shift, physically arduous, or underground jobs.

Apart from this, BCFW also proposed “Include job policies targeting women” and “The Budget should prioritise family and household care policies”.

Both they say will be popular with the public – among both women and men.

Other analysis show that improving the prospects of work for women will benefit PNG’s
economy as a whole.

“Our findings suggest Papua New Guineans agree: 69% say PNG would be better off if more women had the opportunity to work.

“We also found that Papua New Guineans would support policies to promote women’s work.”

Over 70% – including among men and young people – think the government should develop
jobs policies specifically targeting women.

“Our findings show that household care is the main reason Papua New Guineans are out of the labour force or are underemployed.

Among those not working, 39% of women and 14% of men cite household care responsibilities as the reason for not working.

Among those who are working, 51% of women and 36% of men cite household care duties as their main reason for not working as much as they would like to.

For the remainder (who are not currently interested in such roles), they too could be interested – if safety concerns were addressed.

“We urge the government to consider these three suggestions for inclusion in the 2025
Budget. Acting on them would benefit the PNG economy, for all of us, whether women or
men.”

The full survey report, ’PNG Labour Market Survey: Earnings, Gender, and Ambitions –
Findings, Analysis, and Policy Implications’, is available on BCFW’s website.

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Operation Render Safe to commence in East New Britain

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Operation Render Safe

A team lead by the Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea is now in East New Britain Province to commence planning and preparations for Operation Render Safe.

The team includes Commissioner John Feakes and Defense Adviser, Colonel Travis Gordon together with an Australian Defense Force (ADF) team.

The visit is the first in a series to the province as the ADF works with the Provincial Disaster Centre, PNGDF and the RPNGC to start the planning and preparations for Operation Render Safe.

For two decades Australia has been helping Pacific countries with the safe removal of bombs and small munitions under Operation Render Safe.

At the Ministerial Forum in June 2024, PNG Ministers welcomed Australia’s conduct of Operation Render Safe in East New Britain.

Operation Render Safe in East New Britain
Operation Render Safe in East New Britain

Unexploded ordnance (UXO) from WWII is a concern for communities across PNG.

In East New Britain the Provincial Disaster Office has multiple received reports of deteriorated bombs and small munitions discovered in the jungle or unearthed as people clear land for development.

Lieutenant Henry Beri, officer in charge of the PNGDF EOD said “the PNGDF has been working with East New Britain to remove as many munitions as we can, but we need help.”

There is too much for the PNGDF to deal with alone and extra skills and equipment are required to deal with some discoveries such as a very large bomb that washed ashore and is too heavy to move.

“My team are looking forward to working with the ADF to develop our skills.”

In addition to visiting sites where unexploded ordnance has been found, the ADF team, accompanied by LEUT Henry Beri, met with the Provincial Police Commander Chief Inspector, Felix Nebanat and CEO of the Provincial Health Authority, Dr Apo Yap.

The ADF will continue to work closely with the PNGDF, RPNGC and authorities in East New Britain to develop and agree a plan for the safe removal of bombs and small munitions.

It is important not to touch or move any suspected bombs and small munitions like bullets.

Communities in East New Britain are encouraged to leave them in place and report the location to the Provincial Disaster Center, located at the Fire Station in Kokopo.

The team was welcomed by the Governor Michael Marum and Provincial Administrator Levi Mano.

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Opposition on Bloated Government Numbers; Marape Lashes Back

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Opposition Leader Douglas Tomuriesa calls out Prime Minister James Marape

LEADER of the Opposition, Douglas Tomuriesa has called out Prime Minister James Marape for his defence of bloated Government numbers in passing so-called important legislation.

Tomuriesa said Marape should not use his 90-plus majority to swindle the people of Papua New Guinea that he needs a large Government to serve the country.

“If Mr Marape devoted more time to fixing this country instead of political grandstanding and forcing MPs in the Opposition to join Government just so they receive public funds, he would not need to lead a Government of 90-plus MPs,” he says.

“Mr Marape was one of the longest serving leaders of government business, so he should know that parliamentary voting in its purest form is singular, as every MP has one vote each. What Mr Marape is basically telling the people is by having a large number of MPs in Government, he will control their conscience and their voting preferences because he is in charge,” he said.

Tomuriesa also highlighted that in the Westminster system, having all 118 MPs in Government for example should not be a deciding factor for passing legislation, unless MPs just blindly vote in favor for whatever that is put in front of them.

He further added that the Prime Minister does not need a full 79 or 89 MPs to sit in Government in order to pass legislation or amendments.

“If amendments hold merit, are of genuine value to the country, and have been considered appropriately by the people, then I am certain Opposition MPs would be obliged and more than happy to demonstrate bipartisanship and support such reforms.”

Mr Tomuriesa made it clear that while the Opposition caucus does have its own deliberations about how its MPs should vote on a certain matter, there is always an understanding that if MPs wanted to vote a certain way, they had the right to do so.

“As demonstrated in previous sittings, Opposition MPs always voted based on their individual conscience and principles,” he says.

“Marape has proven himself to be the head of that Government over the last five years and does not deserve another day in power.”

Meanwhile, Prime Minister James Marape has dismissed claims made by the Opposition that his government is withholding funds to districts and provinces represented by Members of Parliament who are in the Opposition.

The Prime Minister said as soon as Finance Department makes available printout of the funding, he would have the distribution in service development funds of District Services Improvement Program (DSIP) and Provincial Services Improvement Program (PSIP) published for the public to see.

Prime Minister Marape, in turn, criticised Members of the Opposition who have taken to the media to air their frustration adding that his government does not weaponize the budget to discriminate against Members of Parliament.

“This Pangu-led Government knows our responsibility to the country. Since 2019, our budget use is clear evidence of how we distribute funding,” Marape stated.

The Prime Minister further reiterated that all districts and provinces, whether they are in the Opposition or Government, receive their DSIP and PSIP.

Furthermore, he says that his Government supports all provinces in their functional grant and monies for all Provincial Health Authorities.

“We allocate fairly to all. When cash flow is available, we remit the funds that we collect,” he said.

PM Marape said Members in the Opposition take to social media to sensationalize government matters to get out political mileage yet have no courtesy to acknowledge Government when they receive these funds.

“Once these funds are delayed slightly, they go mouthing off to rally public sympathy but hardly will you see them acknowledge Government for the granting of these monies for their districts and provinces,” he said.

The Prime Minister further explained that since 2019, a large amount of funding has been transferred from Waigani under his administration to provinces and districts, yet local MPs and provincial governors are not held accountable for non-delivery of services in their districts and provinces.

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Former Livestock Boss to Face Trial over Misappropriation

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Waigani District Court Sign

Former Livestock Development Corporation boss Robin Hundupi has been committed to stand trial in the National Court over allegations of defrauding the state.
 
Lawyer representing Hundupi told Magistrate Paul Puri Nii that his client has chosen not to give a Section 96 response when the matter returned to the Waigani Committal Court on Wednesday (13/11/24).
 
The Magistrate then proceeded in ordering that the case will now go to trial at the National Court.
 
Hundupi was arrested by police Fraud Squad and charged with Conspiracy to Defraud and Misappropriation of Property.
 
Police alleges that between 1st and 31st of December 2021, the defendant aged 52 conspired with former Department of Agriculture and Livestock acting Secretary, Stephen Mombi to defraud Livestock Development Corporation a sum of K60 337.47 by submitting a bogus claim.
 
Police further alleged that the defendant used the money for his own personal use.
 
Hundupi through a submission to the Committal Court filed on the 1st of August 2024, argued that the court on 16th November 2023 had struck out the charges of Conspiracy to Defraud because the evidence was insufficient.
 
He maintained that the payments made to him were legal and there was no fraud or dishonesty in the payment.
 
Despite his claims, nine witnesses including former Agriculture and Livestock Ministers Benny Allan and John Simon submitted that the defendant was occupying the position through an acting appointment.

He was given a 6-month contract but his contract was never renewed as his appointment as acting Managing Director of LDC in 2018 was done illegally, and without the knowledge of the portfolio Minister at the time.

Under the LDC company constitution the Minister as the trustee shareholder of LDC is the only one who can appoint directors including the managing director.
 
Witness Steven Yangis, who is the Operations Manager at Livestock Development Corporation said the defendant’s entitlements were calculated to K24 471.91 and was paid to him. The defendant then allegedly conspired with others and paid himself K60 337.49.
 
Magristrate Nii ruled that there is enough evidence for the matter to be tried at the National Court.
 
In his ruling, Nii said by looking at the evidence, the defendant was a former employee of the former Department of Agriculture and Livestock however he was retrenched by the new management.
 
He said all police evidence is saying the defendant was not entitled to K60 337.49, his entitlement was K24 220.12 which was already paid to him.

“Defendant says although he was paid the K24 220.12, he was also entitled to K60 337.49.
 
“If the defendant was entitled to K60 337.49 as his finish pay then why was that amount never paid and instead K24 220.12. Moreover the defendant never says K24 220.12 was part of the total payment he received in which K60 337.49 was the balance pending payment which was paid later.”

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Government Allowing Landowner Abuse to Flourish

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It’s the same story shared by many landowners where logging activities are rampant. Landowners claiming to be spectators in their own land while their forest is being stripped off tropical logs in the name of development.

The major setback for most of these landowners is that Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) is nonexistence.

It was shared during a public seminar that not all landowners give their Free Prior and Informed Consent to companies but are shocked later on when logging trucks entre their village.

Most times, attempts to stop the company from cutting down logs are met with police resistance.

Sam Vegogo from Wanigela in Oro Province says his community was devasted to learn a foreign logging company has been given permission to log their forests without informing his people or obtaining their consent.

“The people of Collingwood Bay have been fighting against illegal logging for decades. But despite numerous court victories we see the PNG Forest Authority continually siding with Asian companies to try and steal our forests.”

David Mitchel from Eco-Custodian Advocates in Alotau, Milne Bay Province shared similar views and questioned why government agencies responsible for monitoring and compliance and are not diligently doing their jobs.

Eddie Tanago from Act Now! echoed concerns adding that monitoring and compliance by government authorities does not end after the license has been issued. It continues all through the project’s life.

Act Now! who hosted the seminar to demand a stop for Forest Clearing Authorities (FCA) licenses are calling out all these agencies to take action. Among the demands are;

· The National Forest Board to impose a moratorium on new FCA licenses until a full government inquiry has been conducted and any recommendations have been implemented
· The government to suspend all log exports from FCA’s areas until an independent, transparent and public inquiry into the legality of all existing FAC’s
· The Fraud Squad, UNODC and Interpol to identify what criminal laws may have been broken in the submission and approval of fraudulent FCA’s applications and the removal of timber without the consent of forest owners
· Commercial Banks to identify any customers linked to FCA logging operations and ensure full compliance with all AML regulations and bank ESR policies.

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New Policy for Prisoner Rehabilitation

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The Department of Justice and Attorney General has launched a new policy set to transform Offender Rehabilitation and Reintegration in Papua New Guinea.

Launched in Port Moresby on October 23, 2024, the Offender Rehabilitation and Reintegration Policy is the first of its kind since the inception of Department’s Community Based Corrections Branch in the mid-1970s.

The Policy provides the strategic direction for rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders, enabling a multi-agency collaborative approach that redirects focus on outcome-based strategies, promoting the use of existing networks, governance systems, resources and practices that are best fit to our circumstances.

The Papua New Guinea Government, in partnership with the Australian Government, is committed to implementing this policy and ensuring its success.

The policy, launched by Minister for Justice and Attorney General, Pila Niningi will empower Probation and Parole Officers to play a pivotal role in reducing recidivism and building stronger communities.

Elisabeth Mirio holding a hard copy of the Offender Rehabilitation Reintegration Policy.
Elisabeth Mirio holding a hard copy of the Offender Rehabilitation Reintegration Policy.

Key features of the policy include:
• Real Pathways to Rehabilitation: Providing offenders with opportunities to learn new skills, find employment, and reintegrate into their communities.
• Enhanced Support Systems: Strengthening the capacity of Probation and Parole Officers to provide effective supervision and support.
• Improved Crime Prevention Programs: Implementing evidence-based programs to address the root causes of crime.

Tessa Plueckhahn, Counsellor for Law and Justice at the Australian High Commission PNG said the policy is a key achievement in the country’s commitment to building a safer and more just society by addressing this very important need to rehabilitate and reintegrate people and have a clear pathway for that and processes, consistent processes in place.

“Because as we all know, punishment alone does not address crime in communities. That hard end of the law, yes it’s necessary, but it’s not the end of the story and it’s not the only way to deliver justice.”

Secretary of the Department of Justice and Attorney General, Dr Eric Kua said the policy will guide the work of the parole services in terms of dealing with parolees that are released into the community.

Elly Naphal, CBC’s Chief Probation Officer, expressed enthusiasm for the policy’s potential to enhance the organization’s capacity and impact.

“This is a significant boost for our efforts to achieve sustainable rehabilitation and reintegration programs in the same way advocates for the important role CBC plays in working with prisoners, communities and partners.”

The development of the policy entailed extensive consultations conducted at both the national and provincial levels.

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Media Council announces Code of Ethics and Professional Practice as Standard for Media in PNG

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The Media Council of Papua New Guinea or MCPNG has announced its updated Code of Ethics and Professional Practice.

The updated Code now provides a standard to which all practitioners of media should be performing.

Media Council President, Neville Choi, said for too long there have been very public conversations referring to what many perceive to be a drop in the standard of journalism, without actually defining what their arguments are based on.

Mr Choi said this updated Code clearly defines the role of journalists and all media workers, and how they should carry themselves in the course of their duties, and the values they should be subscribing to as the guardians of important news and information.

“Most importantly, the Code can be used and referred to by the public to judge and appreciate the way media workers represent the organizations they work for, and the integrity and foundations of the profession of journalism,” Choi added.

Mr. Choi said the Code, which is updated to be fit-for-purpose in today’s media landscape, also covers how the media deals with issues around the use of Artificial Intelligence and AI-generated-content.

Adding that the endorsement of the code now provides the foundation to set up an Independent Complaints Tribunal within the Media Council of Papua New Guinea which will be the Council and the industry’s complaints management mechanism.

Media Council President, Neville Choi, holding a mic, speaking at the Media Council's Annual General Assembly.
Media Council President, Neville Choi, speaking at the Media Council Annual General Assembly 2024, in Port Moresby.

The Code and the Tribunal, form two of the PNG media industry’s strongest arguments for media self-regulation.

Mr. Choi said the Code also features in the National Media Development Policy as part of Industry’s standard and guidelines for its performance, and addresses the media policy’s emphasis on industry self-regulation.

He said the Media Council will continue its rebuilding program which began in 2022 with the review and updating of its Constitution. The review and updating of the Council’s Code of Ethics and Professional Practice will now be followed by the formal establishment of the Council’s Independent Complaints Tribunal.

“If the media is serious about developing for the better, it needs a set of standards to operate by.

We now have a standard for media industry, media education, and for all who practice in the media space, regardless of whether they are members of the Media Council of PNG or not. If you provide information and news for public consumption, do it correctly. Be guided by the MCPNG Code of Ethics and Professional Practice.”

The updated Code can be accessed via the Media Council of PNG website ( https://www.mcpng.net/code/ )

The updated Media Council Code of Ethics was presented at the Media Council’s Annual General Meeting on Saturday (2 November 2024) where it was endorsed by members of MCPNG.

The Media Council of Papua New Guinea is made up of four (4) MCPNG executives; together with one representative from each media house in Papua New Guinea, and includes one representative each for Women in Media, Affiliate members, Independent members and Public members of the MCPNG.

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Over 30 referees to officiate KCK Rigo Rice Cup

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More than thirty (30) professional referees have pledged their support for the Rigo Rice Cup Rugby Competition.

The referees had a brief session with the tournament CEO, Mcsteve Polly, and deliberated significant points, guidelines and inhouse discussions leading up to the tournament.

These referees were formally signed up by the KCK Rigo Rice Cup host organizing committees, and are ready to officiate matches in the four different pools throughout Port Moresby.

Rigo Rice Cup CEO, Mcsteve Polly, during the meeting discussed the importance of fair play and integrity when officiating matches, especially in major competitions that involve more than 10 teams participating.

A female touch-rugby judge was also present among the referees.

She voiced her concerns about the need for more women in the field, expressing her hope to see more women touch-rugby judges working alongside male counterparts which was taken note of by the RRC Team.

Meanwhile, the KCK Rigo Rice Cup will be launched on Saturday the 09th of November, where the total number of participating teams will be announced together with their names.

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Billy Aki to Supervise Rigo Rice Cup in Moresby North-West

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Billy Aki

NCD Suburban Sports Foundation Chairman and President for Moresby North West Rugby League Mr Billy Aki has been appointed as the tournament coordinator for the Rigo Rice Cup.

The tournament will take place on November 9th 2024 in Port Moresby North West.

This appointment was formalised by the KCK Rigo Rice Cup CEO Mcsteve Polly on Friday (03/11/24) in Port Moresby, following a formal meeting with Mr. Aki and the Rigo Rice Cup Team.

“Billy Aki has immense experience from various top tier rugby league competitions in the country like the NCD Governor’s Cup, and we are glad that he will be sharing it to our younger generation of rugby league players in his pool of coordination throughout the tournament,” said Polly.

Following this appointment, Billy Aki expressed his full support to the tournament and permitted the KCK Rigo Rice Cup to be played at the Kone Tigers Oval for Port Moresby North West pool.

This Rugby League Tournament aims to be the biggest grassroots tournament in Papua New Guinea with over K300,000 cash prizes to be won in its first edition this year.
 
Rigo Rice Cup is proudly sponsored by naming rights/platinum sponsors Rigo Rice Limited and Kendekali Lawyers.

The Competition is set to kick off on November 09th right after registration closes, and the games will be held in five different venues throughout Port Moresby City.
 
➢ Moresby North West: Ipi Park, Hohola
➢ Moresby North East: Bomana Police College Field
➢ Moresby South: Bava Park
➢ Motu Koita: Kone Field

The tournament encourages teams to field youth players between the ages of 16 and 23, as this will increase their chances of being scouted for opportunities abroad.

To ensure a platform for emerging talents to shine, each team may include a maximum of three Digicel Cup players (former or current).

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Turi is New Police Boss for NCD/Central Command

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ACP NCD/Central Command, Ben Turi mid shot

An outcry by city residents and the Governor for NCD, Powes Parkop over the disturbing rise of law and order issues in Port Moresby has seen the permanent appointment of Benjamin Turi as the new Assistant Commissioner of Police for NCD and Central Province.

Today, the NCD and Central Commanders met at Boroko Police Station to witness the Hand-Over-Take-Over of Command from ACP Northern Command, Peter Guiness to newly appointed ACP NCD-Central, Benjamin Turi.

Guiness was brought in from Lae to take charge after the collapse of Command that lead to the “Black Wednesday” riots in Port Moresby.

On January 10th, 2024, dubbed “Black Wednesday “, Police personnel had protested against huge cuts in pay and subsequently abandoned their duties.

Opportunists took over, causing riots throughout the city with a number of shops burnt down and several deaths reported.

After ten (10) months of acting on the post to regain control and command in NCD, Guiness handed over the reigns to return to his substantive position as ACP Northern Commander, looking after Eastern Highlands and Morobe Provinces.

Guiness acknowledged the support from all the Police Station Commanders (PSC’s) and heads of divisions in the NCD Command for their support in ensuring that stability returned within the police force.

Moving forward, with collaboration from the NCD Metropolitan Command, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and National Capital District Commission (NCDC), they have formulated a new policing approach to ensure all Police Station Commanders take charge of their areas of command effectively.

Part of this approach is to ensure all the Police Station Commanders are involved in Management meetings and relevant trainings to up skill them as Managers.

“I want all the Police Station Commanders in NCD to become part of the Management team so that we can all sit down together and discuss issues that are affecting the Command,” Guines said.

Taking on from where his predecessor left, ACP Turi said starting Monday, he will meet with individual PSC’s and the Metropolitan Superintendent Commander to discuss respective areas of Command.

“We will revisit the duty statement of each and everyone of you. The Station Commanders you have a very big role to play.

“We will look at the duty statements from the PSC’s down to the operations on ground,” Turi said.

Another aspect of ensuring command is taking control of disciplinary challenges with each Station.

PSC’s were encouraged to ensure members of their commands are disciplined if they step out of line.

“Discipline is good. If you don’t discipline your men, you spoil your men,” Turi stressed.

Witnessing the HOTO was NCDC Chief Executive Officer, Dr Newton Albert who announced that with this new plan in place, NCDC will be announcing its support to Police next week.

The support includes fuel and logistics to help police tackle the escalating law and order issues in the city.

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