PNGDF Pay Issues

This is following the circulation of messages of a possible strike today by members of the PNG Defence Force.

According to the statement, the government anticipates the next pay period, Pay 10, to be normal for most members.

It stated that the Departments of Finance, Personnel Management and Defence have been working together to correct these pay issues.

Providing a background that gave rise to this issue, the statement outlined that the issues began to unfold when the PNGDF attempted to implement a 3% salary increment commencing in Pay 5 of 2024.

Polewara says the priority now is to correct all deficiencies. The back pay implementation cannot happen while there are shortfalls and discrepancies in the payroll. He issued these directions after discussions with the Secretary for Finance.

He said last week’s payroll issues affected the salaries of 263 PNGDF personnel.

However this has been fixed and most personnel who bank with BSP have been fully paid a total amount of K201 323.63, remitted to their individual bank accounts.