PNG Power workers stage sit-in protest

PAPUA New Guinea Power Limited (PPL) workers are confused about the restructuring process currently taking place in PPL that is allegedly dictated by National Executive Council in partnership with Kumul Consolidated Holdings Limited (KCHL).

The confusion has led to PPL workers stage a sit-in protest today through PNG Energy Workers Association (PNGEWA) petitioning the PPL boards and the management demanding clarification and proper dialogue regarding the changes.

PNGEWA claimed that the changes that are taking place are in breach of the 2019 Enterprise Agreement and all the other internal processes have been over looked by the current management under Managing Director Flagon Bekker.

PNGEWA General Secretary Santee Margis said it is over eight months and they have never met with Mr Bekker.

“PNGEWA has sent a couple of correspondence to Bekker however he never met with the workers. Today (Friday, June 25) was his first meet after receiving instructions from PNG Power chairperson Moses Maladina,” Margis said.

He added that PPL staff is not informed about the changes and information about the new restructure in PPL. However they were shocked to find out from the media.

PNGEWA on behalf of all the PPL workers nationwide demand that:

1. PPL managing director Flagon Bekker be terminated and investigated for alleged claims of mismanagement and corrupt practice and appoints a competent leader with the new interim management.
2. Stop the unbundling and restructure until consultation and awareness are carried out nationwide among workers –as it is in breach of 2019 EA.
3. Management must address all outstanding workers industrial matters as per the 2019 EA.
4. They want to see a business plan for corporate, technical and operation strategies for PPL to continue improve its services reliabilities and revenue.

PPL managing director when meeting with the PPL workers in Port Moresby outside PPL head office at Hohola said the management is working for its staff.

“We understand your frustration but I want all of you (PNGEWA) to comply with the laws that are already in place with Department of Labour,” Bekker said.

He further explained that what the PNGEWA is doing in relation to the unbundling and restructure that are taking place and the protest they are doing is illegal.

Bekker said the unbundling exercise is in line with the NEC directive through its stake holder KCH, is to make sure PPL produce more affordable and reliable power supply.

“Therefore PPL will comply with what the NEC is instructing. I advise the PNGEWA to comply with the dispute resolution procedures stated in EA 2019 for settlement of industrial dispute.”

PNGEWA also confirmed in a statement that continuous power outage in the country is the result of PPL management concentrating on the restructure and not on business plans to improve the power outage.

They said the PPL staff is always faced with shortages of equipment to carry out their duties and many other issues that needs to be addressed.