Frabelle workers walk off job

MORE than 500 workers of fish cannery Frabelle (PNG) Limited walked off their jobs yesterday morning, The National reports.

They left the SpeyBank Street, Milfordhaven, factory in Lae in one large group, over complaints of transport, lunch, uniforms and safety wear fees.

The workers said both skilled and unskilled workers were paid K2.29 across the board.

Despite the national minimum wages board (NMWB) rate, there is no margin rate between the unskilled and the skilled workers, spokesman of their interim union

Gabriel Garame said.

The workers who come from Munum and Yalu villages, along the Highlands Highway, are charged K4.10  as transport fees daily, while those commuting from Miles, Bumayong, are charged K1.60.

“The management imposes an identification card system to verify commuters before and after hoping on to the vehicle. A fee of K5 is charged, or three days without pay, if one has no ID,” employees said.

For meals at the work-place, “dry scones were provided for lunch costing K1”.

“Within the company a man, without a certification from Investment Promotion Authority, sells half scallop and sausages for K1, broccoli at K1 and bananas for K0.50,” Mr Garame said.

He said two pairs of uniforms cost K6 while a pair of safety gum boots costs K30.

He said there were no face masks and safety clothes for workers in the boiler section.

At Christmas, each worker receives two packets of rice, three packets of noodles and three tins of Isabella fish.

Frabelle (PNG) Ltd operates fish canning for the local and export markets.

Workers said it also manufactured frozen loins, fish meal and deals in scrap metals.

“The deductions on various things exceed what they pay us fortnightly,” workers said.

 “It has been an on going issue,” Mr Garame said.

The workers vented their frustration to the provincial labour and industrial relations division, Morobe Provincial Fisheries Management Authority and health and safety authorities of the Lae City Council. They said the government agencies were negligent.

“They are depriving and denying us of proper welfare at the work place. They benefit from our commitment, effort and marine resources using us as cheap labour,” he said.

Unionist Tom Vevo said the issue was the same in other fish canning companies.

He said that at RD Tuna, employees received a K0.15 increase, despite the K2.29 approved rate.

He said the K2.29 rate was for the unskilled workers.

“The company has to set its margin and add its portion on top the pay for those skilled nationals.

“Failure by the provincial labour division to implement its roles and responsibilities effectively, leads to unnecessary protests without employees following proper procedures.

“Workers were the foundation of industry which generates income for the Government. Therefore responsible authorities have to intervene and solve such issues.

“They are human beings and have to afford to eat and sleep, and be protected with medical and insurance cover for their safety,” he said.

Frabelle management refused to comment.

Pictures of the funeral service of photographer William Williando

Pphotographs of the funeral of media photographer William Williando in Port Moresby last Friday.

Investigation committee commences at UOG

An independent investigation team will commence proceedings at the University of Goroka this week on Tuesday March 30, 2010.

As directed by the UOG Council, a three-person investigation committee has been established to investigate several concerns outlined in an agreed terms of reference (TOR) document previously submitted by the Student Representative Council (SRC) and the National Academic Staff Association (NASA) at UOG.

Some the concerns are matters relating to: governance, processes and procedures, administration matters, academic matters, student welfare, staff welfare and financial matters.

The independent investigation committee is composed of Michael Gene, prominent lawyer and former Attorney General; Prof Allan Easton, prominent academic; and George Kuno, practising accountant and will meet with representatives from the UOG Council, SRC, NASA and management teams to investigate issues from the TOR document.

The investigation will run until April 29, 2010, after which the University Council will meet to consider the findings of the report.

University of Goroka Chancellor Benais Sabumei said investigation would be completely independent to ensure the findings and recommendations were unbiased and neutral.

The investigation committee will appoint its own administration staff, and the university will provide logistical support for the duration of the investigation.

Mr Sabumei said he was pleased to see that classes have now resumed, and things were back to normal at UOG.

National Court commended for Ramu nickel mine decision

By BAPA BOMOTENG

 

Congratulations to the Madang National Court for being the listening ears for the silent majority.  The National Court in Madang did justice to put on hold the tailing of waste into deep Bismack seas.  They should enforce a permanent stop order!

The giant Ramu nickel project got its okay for construction almost on a golden plate (almost 80-90%) Chinese owned. PNG got peanuts in ownership.  The deal looked funny and not right right from the start, as there may have been hidden players and gainers, as is the game with some Asians deals.

 Every people group along the coast and the Islands of Madang, Raikos, Karkar, Rooke Is, Umboi, Manam Is and Wasu should be speaking out. What pollution and waste dumping will do to marine life is unpredictable.   Look at 40-50 years from now when the nickel has been plundered out of Ramu.  What will be left there after?  Ghost towns, half-castes, polluted rivers and the sea bed?  Nauru Island went through a time of prosperity.  What has happened to it now?  Where it is on the map after the phosphate is gone?

 Look at what Rio Tinto did for the Panguna rivers and the Arawa Bay in Bougainvile.  Look at what OK Tedi has done for Fly River bed and the Western with its sedimentation and the waste dumping.  Look where Misima Mines is right now.  Look at the open cut and giant operations in Lihir.

 Madang people need to stand united here and protect the "Beautiful Madang", the tourist destination. And for the sake of the generations in the future, protect the environment, our flora, the fauna and the marine life.

 

Chapman Freeborn to move LNG cargo

Partnership with Air Niugini

 

By YEHIURA HRIEHWAZI in Brisbane

 

ONE of the world’s largest air chartering companies, Chapman Freeborn, has entered into partnership with the national flag carrier, Air Niugini, to move construction cargo for the PNG liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, The National reports.

Chapman Freeborn has 32 offices in 22 countries and last year alone, it co-ordinated 5,000 charters, according to a statement on its website.

One of the aircraft being offered for use in the project is a large L-100 Hercules aircraft – one similar to the two from South America that were in joint-venture with Nationair in the mid-1980s to move cargo from Nadzab to Moro for the construction of the Kutubu oil fields and oil pipeline to the Kumul Marine Terminal in the Gulf province.

The cargo handling facilities are already available at Nadzab and it has anticipated that most of the PNG LNG construction cargo for the Southern Highlands will be airlifted out of Nadzab to Tari, Komo and Moro.

 The arrangement will provide Air Niugini with access to the international cargo charter market, allowing the airline to offer its clients freighter aircraft from third party operators managed by Chapman Freeborn.

Through the new venture, shippers and forwarders will be offered a one-stop shop for project cargo with main deck charter solutions to Port Moresby International Airport and onward connections to smaller airfields and unpaved strips across PNG.

Clients will also be able to utilise Air Niugini’s cargo capacity on their current scheduled passenger aircraft which offer the greatest frequency into the country.

The aircraft offer to the market included the highly capable L-100 Hercules which will be utilised to service specialised high altitude airstrips, to assist with the logistics relating to the development of a major LNG project and to supplement domestic cargo operations by Air Niugini’s Dash 8 freighter aircraft.

The L-100 Hercules is unequalled in its ability to lift up to 20 tonnes of cargo from unprepared and short airstrips.

Chapman Freeborn and Air Niugini are also studying a niche regional freighter for some of the smaller loads required in the country.

Shahe Ouzounian, Chapman Freeborn’s chief operating officer, said:

“We’re delighted that Air Niugini has chosen Chapman Freeborn as their partner in this venture.

“I’m confident that with their regional capabilities and unparalleled local knowledge, combined with our global expertise, together we will help to further unlock Papua New Guinea’s potential for shippers and forwarders worldwide.

“We are very pleased that this partnership allows the national carrier of Papua New Guinea to be an integral part of the air logistics involved in the LNG project in the country and we are proud of our association with Air Niugini.”

Air Niugini will, in turn, benefit from working in partnership with the world’s leading aircraft charter company.

Chapman Freeborn has a reputation for innovation, expertise and professionalism built up over 36 years.

BSP flaunts strength

Caption: The chopper flying the BSP banner across Fairfax harbour last Friday. It is the largest banner ever flown in the South Pacific. – Picture by ROCKY ROE

 

BANK SOUTH PACIFIC (BSP) last Friday showcased its innovation and strength by taking over the skies above Port Moresby city with the largest banner ever flown in the South Pacific, The National reports.

The seven-story high and 10,000sqft feet banner was flown above Port Moresby by helicopter where BSP was clearly seen and proudly showcased as “your bank”.

The largest banner fly-by was a reinforcement of BSP’s drive to transform into a modern bank.

BSP announced last year through its re-branding initiative that it was seeking to continue to grow from its position as a locally-owned banking group offering traditional banking services to its customers.

BSP has continued to grow its ATM network throughout PNG and aims at having more than 200 ATMs nationwide by year end.

The bank has also expanded its Pacific network with 29 branches in the Solomon Islands, Nuie, and more recently into Fiji.  

This year, BSP has launched an internal “transformation programme” aimed at improving all areas of its business.

Qantas' direct non-stop services to PNG

QANTAS has been swiftly given approval by the Australian government to operate direct non-stop services to Papua New Guinea, and has received all the seats that it requested, The National reports.

All 888 seats, or 12 weekly services with a 74-seat Bombardier, have been given the green light from the international air services commission, as there were no competitors who sought to block the move.

Interestingly, despite Qantas having requested the rights for its subsidiary QantasLink, the commission has given the carrier approval to also ply the route with its Jetstar brand if needed.

“Qantas is an established carrier which is clearly capable of obtaining the necessary approvals and of implementing the proposed operations,” the government in its announcement, said.

“This means that there is public benefit arising from the use of the entitlements.

“The commission will allocate to Qantas the 888 seats of capacity per week it has sought.”

Currently, Qantas code-shares on the route with Air Niugini, while Pacific Blue code-shares with Airlines of PNG.

Qantas plans to launch services in July this year.

This move is set to become QantasLink’s first international destination.