The Department of Personnel Management (DPM) has clarified that the sit-in protest undertaken by members of the PNG Nurses Association (PNGNA) is illegal.
Secretary Taies Sansan said the state has not been informed of any industrial dispute or a call for withdrawal of labour registered by the Industrial Registrar and there was no secret ballot conducted by the nurses and therefore the notice issued for withdrawal of labour in the media is illegal and improper.
She said, the Government is doing all it can to address issues contained in the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed by DPM, PNGNA and the Department of Health on 25<sup>th</sup> of August 2020.
ecretary Sansan said the Government through respective agencies has taken steps to prioritize and commence implementation of the awards contained in the MoA.
“We have made a commitment to ensure duty related allowance for this group of front line health service providers for the next 3 years commencing 01st January 2021 is agreed to. However, considering the severe budget constraints compounded by covid-19, it would be more appropriate to find an amicable way forward to resolving the issue”.
She said that following the signing of the agreement DPM had further issued a Circular Instruction 5/2021 on 17th of February 2021, calling on all line agencies employing nursing officers to ensure implementation of the MoA. Also informing Finance & Treasury to assist employing agencies in consultation with DPM to configure and allocate a code for the nurses Life and Medical Insurance subsidy on the payroll.
She said that following the signing of the agreement DPM had further issued a Circular Instruction 5/2021 on 17th of February 2021, calling on all line agencies employing nursing officers to ensure implementation of the MoA. Also informing Finance & Treasury to assist employing agencies in consultation with DPM to configure and allocate a code for the nurses Life and Medical Insurance subsidy on the payroll.
Source & Credit: https://www.looppng.com/png-news/protest-illegal-says-dpm-106503 by Loop Author – November 10, 2021