By Elizah Palme – EMTV Online, Port Moresby
Local Paladin staff providing security to the three refugee camps on Manus Island went on a sit-in protest on Tuesday 26 February 2019.
This has raised alarm on security fostering the police to be on full alert, the Royal Papua New Guinea media reports.
The sit-in protest was over their demands for better working conditions including pay increases, overtime, bonuses, life insurance, holiday pay, and food rations whilst on duty.
A petition was presented by the disgruntled workers on Tuesday 19 February 2019 to the management of Paladin Solution PNG Ltd. Following that, a meeting was organized by Paladin Solution to address the workers’ demands on Monday 25 February 2019.
Manus Provincial Police Commander Chief Inspector David Yapu attended the meeting accompanied by members of Mobile Squad 18 to ensure a peaceful environment prevailed for both parties to discuss and address the issues raised.
Chief Inspector Yapu has appealed to the protesters not to cause any problems while waiting for the outcome of their list of demands presented to Paladin.
Meanwhile, police are patrolling and monitoring the three refugee camps on Manus Island as Paladin Solution PNG Ltd flew in 25 security personals from Port Moresby yesterday (Wednesday, February 27) to fill in the vacancy created by the protesting workers.
This event unfolds as the little-known Australian Security Company comes under fire recently for a second major controversial deal worth a hefty K1 billion to run the Nauru detention center.
