10 Foreigners arrested for Employing Papua New Guineans as Cheap Labourers

 A joint spot check operation by PNG Immigration and Police on Saturday along the Hiritano highway in Central province has resulted in the apprehension of ten foreign nationals and discovery of a foreign agriculture company that abuse local workers and employ them as cheap labourers. 

Upon weeks of intelligence and information gathering, the spot check team made a surprise visit to foreign owned retail outlets at Gabadi, Inauabui, Apanaipa and Bereina and apprehended the suspects. They were fined K5,000 each for breaching the condition of their visa by working in locations and positions not corresponding to their visas.

10 Foreigners arrested for Employing Papua New Guineans as Cheap Labourers . Photo supplied. 

The inspection team visited a new oil Palm plantation in Kubuni, Kuni, along the Tapini highway and was stunned by reports that local workers who were engaged by the oil palm company were paid K65 and K70 on a fortnight basis.

The company employed over 500 locals as cheap labourers. Some came as far as Kaintiba in the borders of Gulf and Morobe provinces and have to work long hours 7 days a week and earn less than K70 as fortnightly pay.

Local employees reported that they were restricted to move outside the company premises and are forced to buy food and personal items from a retail store operated by the company. Public transportation is not allowed and workers have no access to travel out.

Chief Migration Officer Mr Stanis Hulahau says this is a serious case of exploitation of local workers and a abuse of their rights to free movement and fair compensation of their hard work.

“Foreigners must respect our citizens whilst investing and working in the country and must not abuse them. All foreigners  must understand that the National Government has set the National Minimum Wages and this case has seen serious violations," Mr Hulahau says.

He says the Spot Check team will refer this to relevant State Authorities to further investigations.

Statement 

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