Rocket Scientist to labour for People of Bougainville

Members of the Ministerial Committee on Labour Mobility today warned of an increasing number of Papua New Guinean citizens being scammed by labour mobility agents.

“The Marape government has made labour mobility for PNG citizens a priority,” said chairman of the committee, Deputy Prime Minister Davis Steven.

“Labour mobility is providing jobs to workers in rural communities, giving them experience in the agriculture and food processing industry in Australia and helping their families with remittances during the Covid-19 crisis.

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Despite the lockdown, we have pushed forward with reforms to our labour-sending arrangements and our promotion of PNG workers in Australia. When borders open we will be ready to move quickly and meet the growing demand for our workers.”

Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey said that in February PNG established the Labour Mobility Unit under the Department of Treasury to strengthen the integrity of our labour-sending arrangements.

“We sent only 128 workers to Australia in 2018/19 but our reforms, introduced in November 2019, have proven successful.

“As the success of the program has grown, so have the number of scammers targeting our citizens. We will prosecute anyone caught scamming vulnerable people of their hard-earned savings.

Police Minister Bryan Kramer said he had asked police to prioritise these cases, including a recent incident involving a man from Western Province.

“While it does not involve large sums, defrauding Western Province school leavers, who have few savings, sets them back for life,” he said.

“Person involved has taken at least K11,000 from these school leavers.

“We know that the person involved has been doing this for a number of years. We encourage anyone else with evidence to come forward and make a statement.”

“Only the Labour Mobility Unit and your local MP can provide temporary work in Australia, and there are no up-front fees,” said Mr Steven.

“Any company, agent of individual claiming to find you temporary work in Australia is a scam and should be reported.”

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Rocket Scientist to labour for People of Bougainville