15/11/2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 15 November 2024
Contact: [email protected]
PORGERA LANDOWNERS ASSOCIATION (PLOA) INC. CONDEMNS UNFAIR TREATMENT OF LOCAL PORGERA UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
Porgera, Papua New Guinea – The Porgera Landowners Association (PLOA) Inc. is deeply concerned about the reported mistreatment of local Porgera University students employed at the Porgera mine, operated by New Porgera Limited. These students are being denied the same privileges given to others who have attended the same universities, particularly regarding Fly-In-Fly-Out employment opportunities.
Chairman Mark Tony Ekepa stated, "It is unacceptable that our local landowner students, who have acquired the same content of knowledge as their peers, are being unfairly treated. These students should be given the choice to be employed as either local or national candidates, just like any other students and graduates."
The PLOA calls on the senior management team at New Porgera Limited to immediately overhaul its Employment Development Section. Those superintendents and senior officers who have been identified as acting unfairly must be removed from their positions effective immediately. This is essential to ensure a fair and respectful working environment for our local students.
The negotiations on the Community Development Agreement (CDA) are ongoing, addressing such issues. Once concluded, we may see significant changes in the way employment practices are conducted at Porgera. Meanwhile, such unfair treatment appears to stem from vested interests and jealousy. This cannot be tolerated, and as long as the PLOA is concerned, it will be put to an end.
We want to see these changes implemented now. Hence this urgent call.
Approved for Release
PLOA Media Team
