The PNG Nurses Association withdrew yet another stop work declaration since the December 3, last year, when an agreement was signed between the Department of Personnel Development, renewing the long overdue nurse’s awards.
PNGNA’s Acting National President, Steven Nawik, said after a progressive response from the Chief Secretary today, they are putting the stop work protest on hold.
He said however that the fact that the nurses awards were not budgeted for did not justify why the government had not simply honored their agreement.
“We are aware of PNGs financial situation, but we have an agreement, so we are keeping an open mind about this.”
PNGNA’s General Secretary, Edward Foe, brushed aside DPM’s involvement in this by far saying it was insignificant and they would now focus on communicating directly with the Chief Secretary’s Office for feedback.
He argued that although their protest has been deemed unlawful by the department, the association was conducting it under rights highlighted in the International Labor Organisation Convention 87.
According to Nawik, The CSO responded today saying that a Budget Management Committee has been assigned to discuss a way forward in addressing their log of claims.
The PNGNA has met with its largest body of members, the NCD branch, to notify them of their latest decision and then disseminate it to other branches.
Overall, the association has near 4,000 members to date.
