By Vasinatta Yama – EMTV News, Port Moresby
The PNG Health Support Workers Association is on the verge of going on strike nationwide, if the Department of Personnel Management continues to disregard them as a registered Association.
The Association’s General Secretary, Jack Suao, said the Association is giving 21 days to Personnel Management Secretary, John Kali, to respond before further action is taken.
Last year the Health Support Workers lodged 11 claims to the Personnel Management Department, to recognise them as an Association, so that they can benefit from services that other Unions are receiving.
However, Personnel Management did not recognise them, despite being registered under the Industrial Registrar.
Their two important claims are to have an increase in their housing allowance and their back dated pay of five years, must be paid.
PNG Health Support workers are known as non-clinicians, who are employed by the hospitals, provincial health authorities, and rural health services.
They currently have over 3,000 registered members in 13 provinces accross Papua New Guinea.
