Chief Secretary meets PNG Nurses Association

Chief Secretary to Government, Amb. Isaac Lupari and the Secretary for Health, Mr Pascoe Kase met with the Acting National President, Mr Steve Navik and senior Executives of PNG Nurses Association (PNGNA) to discuss how to address the implementation of the Nurses Awards agreed between the State and PNGNA in 2015.

This meeting was a follow-up of previous consultations they have had on the issue.
The Chief Secretary expressed the Government’s gratitude to Acting President, his Executives and members of the PNGNA for their maturity and understanding on the matter.
“We have to continue to have such dialogue on a regular basis so that issues are discussed in an open and transparent manner and together, we find ways to address these issues. Because by doing so, we will be able to appreciate the issues, and why sometimes, industrial awards cannot be met in an expeditious manner,” said Lupari.
The MOU for the PNGNA awards was signed in late November 2015, and due to it lateness, it was not catered for in the 2016 Budget.

“I have made the PNGNA Executives aware of the above and that if the Government is to honor it, savings must be identified in the budget. This is because there is no appropriation in the 2016 Budget,” said Chief Secretary.
He said the Government has just re-adjusted the 2016 Budget due to decline in revenue, and it would be extremely difficult to find savings at this stage.
However, they have all agreed for the Government to identify savings in the 2016 Budget, and make some payments in this year.

The Budget Management Committee, which is chaired by the Chief Secretary, will discuss this tomorrow to address the funding requirements.
In the meantime, they agreed that members of PNGNA should not take any industrial actions, including strike. They will continue to provide their nursing services to the people, whilst this dialogue is taking place.
“Health care and service to our people is vitally important.”
“Lives of our people requiring medical attention are at risk, if our nurses walk out of their job. It is important that we must always create avenue for dialogue, to find solutions and strike should be the last resort."
“I am grateful for the fruitful dialogue I had with the executives of PNGNA as they clearly understand and appreciate the position of the Government and their agreement to continue this dialogue to find a way forward to addressing this issue,” said Mr Lupari.
The Prime Minister Hon. Peter O’Neill, CMG MP, has been fully briefed on the outcome of the meeting and he supported the approach, which has been agreed between the State and PNGNA.