By Quinton Alomp – EM TV News, Port Moresby
PNG Energy Workers Association General Secretary, Santee Margis, has warned companies intending to carry out redundancy to its workers to first remove expatriates before Papua New Guineans.
The Unions issued a strong warning that they will not allow Nationals to be sidelined as expatriates are retained.
The warning comes after several companies in the Oil, Gas and Electricity circles advised their employees that redundancies are looming as global financial crisis continues.
Mr Margis said if the current global economic situation is forcing companies to consider sending off their staff, they have to start sending off expatriates rather than locals.
“Expatriates rentals, salaries and other benefits are more expensive than locals and they must be sent off first before local employees,” the General Secretary said.
He has called on the Labour department to closely monitor the issue, saying the Unions will not take the matter lightly.
Executive of PNG Trade Union Congress, Anton Sekum, said the call is genuine and all Union organisations will support the move.
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