By Serah Aupong – EM TV News, Port Moresby
In the current feud between the PNG Communications Workers Union (PNGCWU) and Telikom PNG over Telikoms retrenchment exercise, today saw a minor victory for Telikom when the court ruled in its favour.
A motion which was filed by the union, in June this year, for a temporary stop on the retrenchment exercise while the substantive hearing was still pending was dismissed today.
Carl Kuira, Telikoms litigation lawyer, said the motion was heard today and Justice Kiriwom made the decision at the end of the hearing.
“The court was of the view that the retrenchment exercise should continue,” Mr Kuira said.
David Kulu, Telikoms Chief Legal Officer said the main issue raised by the union in this motion was about a lack of consultation on the retrenchment exercise.
“The doors are not closed on Telikom sitting down in consulation,” Mr Kulu said adding that as far as Telikom is concerned “extensive consultation” has been done.
Priscilla Salle Ao, head of People & Capability says as a company Telikom is going through a transformation and this retrenchment exercise is part of it.
“The plan has been communicated since September 2014. It’s been communicated extensively to all our employees, to all our stakeholders and through numerous consultations with the union,” she said.
Telikom’s restructure began last year.
The PNG Communications Workers Union has raised a number of issues with the process used, spill and fill, which they say is “illegal “and” have taken the matter to court.
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