Outstanding payment for the Joint Security Task Force has already started, with the first instalment of K10 million paid out to the PNG Defence Force last week.
In a press conference today, the PNG Police Association said the Government immediately made the undertaking following last week’s threat of industrial confrontation.
The General Secretary of the Police Association, Clemence Kanau, said the Deputy Prime Minister, on behalf of the Prime Minister and his government, hosted a meeting with the Trade Union Congress and Police Association executives to solve issues raised by these unions.
For police personnel nationwide, their concerns were the additional K300 commitment made by the Government to security personnel post-APEC, the outstanding balance of Police Insurance Premium of K2.7 million for 2018, outstanding K80 million service allowance and payment of outstanding 3 percent pay rise.
“All joint security forces this fortnight, you should be realising some payment of the outstanding allowance,” stated Kanau.
“Outstanding premium of K2.7 million, as we speak, is now being programmed to be paid out to the broker. This was the assurance from Secretary (Dairi) Vele and Deputy Prime Minister.
“And the K80 million outstanding allowances – service allowance for police men and women since 2011. We’ve resolved and understood that because of the current fiscal situation in the country, police union has concurred with the government to start a program of settlement over instalments. Most probably over a 12-month period, to commence in April or May.”
Furthermore, the outstanding K40 million from the 3 percent pay rise will be paid to police personnel nationwide, as confirmed by the Treasury. This payment is expected to commence in pay 06 or 07 (late March).
The Police Association, while thanking the government, has further urged them to address outstanding issues faced by their sister unions.