Health Support Workers issue threats to strike

​ PNG Health Support Workers Association (PNGHSWA) have issued threats to go on strike in 14 days time.

PNGHSWA General Secretary Jack Suao issued the threats that will greatly affect all medical facilities throughout the country during this National Election period.

Suao in a media conference today said, the 14 days’ notice is because of the long delay by the Arbitration Tribunal Board to hear its outstanding logs of claims dating back to 2016.

He said this is because there is no Arbitration Tribunal Board in place to hear their log of claims.

Suao also appealed to the Secretary of Labour and Industrial Relations Mary Morola to step in to assist by appointing an Arbitration Tribunal board to hear their 11 log of claims.

The claims range from a new job classification, housing allowances, overtime and other matters.

The health support workers form the engine room in the medical sector in the country and an imminent strike action will affect operations of vital health services.

The 3,000 plus members of PNGHSWA work as bio-engineers, technicians, electricians, payroll officers, morgue attendants, cleaners and others.