WASHINGTON: PNG Ports Corporation Limited remains firm with thr decision by the Government for Philippines Stevedoring Company International Container Terminal Services Inc, to operate despite protests made by the union last week. The response came after the Papua New Guinea Maritime and Transport Workers Union expressed disappointment over a 25-year contract, awarded to a Philippines Stevedoring Company International Container Terminal Services (ICTSI). According to union general secretary, Reg McAlister, the union is surprised the PNG Ports Corporation and the government have kept the awarding of the stevedoring contract to ICTSI a secret, with no official announcement. Mr McAlister said the tendering documents was prepared by PNG Ports Corporation and advertised internationally. He further said there was also no requirement for the successful tender to employ the existing stevedoring workforce numbering over 2000 workers, covering both ports. And no requirement for the successful tender to comply with existing awards and industrial agreements.
“Despite meeting with the Minister for State Enterprises, William Duma last year and follow-ups with the Government in 2016 and 2017, there is still no guarantee of job security, and continued employment for over 2000 stevedoring workers and their families. There is no guarantee for ICTSI to comply with existing industrial agreements,” Mr McAlister said. He said present companies operating in Port Moresby and Lae, which are either owned or have significant local land owners share-holding in joint venture deals have been successfully carrying out stevedoring operations productively, efficiently and safely for last 30 years. “The stevedoring workers are the biggest losers with the awarding of the contract to a Filipino company,” he argued. PNG Ports in a statement advised that PNG Ports and the government has executed terminal operating agreements ICTSI of the Philippines, for provision of terminal services at the international ports at Motukea and Lae. It said the ICTSI is a global terminal operator with 28 ports under management across 17 countries, and listed on the Philippines stock exchange. “PNGPCL expects the terminal operating arrangements with ICTSI to improve berth and yard productivity at the two international ports, and within a tariff framework, to be competitive compared to current levels.”
