UPNG National Academic Staff Association

This follows the voluntary withdrawal of teaching and assessment component of service on Monday by the members of the National Academic Staff Association at the UPNG.

University Vice Chancellor Professor Albert Mellam said the stop work by the staff is illegal as it is not properly sanctioned by the university and the Industrial Registrar.

Mellam said any staff member who participates in this illegal action is in breach of contract and will be subject to corrective measures of the University Council based on legal advice.

The salary increase stems from the Government’s approval of an annual 7.5 percent pay increase for all public servants in PNG, commencing in 2012.

Dr Nicholas Mann, the UPNG Acting Chancellor, said the issue concerning the 7.5 percent pay increase is not an industrial matter.

Dr Mann clarified that the university has already honoured this pay rise for three years, from 2012 to 2014, which represents a salary increase of 22.5 percent for academic and non-academic staff.

The only remaining issue is the payment of pay increases for 2015 and 2016.

UPNG Acting Chancellor Dr Nicholas Mann said today that the stop work by the staff is illegal as it is not properly sanctioned by the University and the Industrial Registrar.

The purpose of their planned withdrawal of teaching and assessment component of work is due to their outstanding 7.5 percent pay increment for all public servants, commencing in 2012.

Dr Mann said they’re in constant dialogue with responsible authorities and those concerned since 2013 and are working to resolve the issue.