Increments

The increment is consistent with the 2017-2019 Memorandum of Agreement between Department of Personnel Management and Public Employees Association.

Given the downturn in economy and financial constraints faced by the government, the award was not factored in the 2017 and 2018 budgets, hence denying the public servants of the 3 percent increment.

Public Employees Association president, Robert Kutapai, said in a statement that the National Executive Council has now directed the Department of Treasury and Finance to source out funding to facilitate the award.

The teachers’ plight was raised by Madang MP Bryan Kramer in parliament last week.

The teaching sector is one of the largest in the country.

In 2016 the government promised the 57,000 teachers in the country a 3 percent pay increment in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

2 years have passed and the issue remains stagnant.

Kramer, directing his question to Education Minister Nick Kuman and Minister for Treasury, Charles Abel, demanded definite answers if these increments were budgeted for and confirm when the increments will be paid.