Papua New Guinea PRIME Minister James Marape says 3,500 former employees of Porgera mine will be given “first consideration for jobs” when the mine reopens.
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| PNG PM Marape talking to Porgera Mine workers. Photo Supplied |
He told The National that the Government had asked the mine management for all former employees to be given first consideration. Marape was responding to a question about Porgera Mine and Allied Workers Union urging the Government “to honour the commitment to compensate the 3,500 Papua New Guineans who were made redundant by Porgera Joint Venture after the Government’s decision to not renew special mining lease”.
The union said the Government promised to pay compensation to the ex-employees and they have presented a submission but the government has not responded to their request.
In a statement, the Porgera Mine and Allied Workers Union said: “On Jul 27, 2020, executives and the Trade Union Congress met with Marape to air the grievances of the 3,500 plus redundant former employee. “At this meeting, Marape committed to pay K26 million plus as compensation to the former employees, to date, this has yet to eventuate,” the statement said.
When asked by the The National, Marape said: “When we make a commitment, it is always honoured.”
“A commitment is a commitment.”
The union said: “The patience of the Porgera mine employees, landowners, contractors and the entire benefit chain have ran out, the first follow up of our submission was to the National Executive Council last July and the second was on Dec 2 through Labour and Industrial Relations Minister Tomait Kapili, but again, there was no response from the Government.”
The National / Pacific Mining Watch
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