New Wage
pp. 22-152 · Read in the full issue
P-NG Wage Fixing New Wage Will Have Wide Effee
A recommendation for an ir crease in native labour wages i Papua-New Guinea, which is ez pected to be approved shortly, wi mean an important change in Terr tory wage fixing methods.
FOR thousands of Territoi natives the Native Labour Ore inance will cease to have th influence it has held for them ove many years, and the way is opene for wage fixing by negotiation. : may mean a scramble for highe wages, as in Australia.
The recommendation, for a min: mum cash wage of £3 per week fc urban workers in Port Moresb; Rabaul and Lae, was made to tli Native Employment Board by em ployers’ and employees’ represent atives. It was recommended fc single workers only, as an alternate to the system of a weekly wage ph rations, other issues and accora rnodation, and is to come into effec from November, if approved.
The Proposals
Proposals were that the new wag not be applied to workers in primar production or in domestic dutie£ that deductions be made by err ployers of certain amounts for foo and accommodation if it is supplied that overtime be paid, at one-and a-half times the regular rate, i excess of eight hours in a day or 4 hours in a week (double time o Sundays and holidays); that thes rates not be applied to existin agreement workers; and that era ployees’ associations would under take not to seek an extension c the cash wage to other centre within two years (but this woul not affect their right to seek a re view at any time for the thre centres).
The recommendations were mad by the Kerema Welfare Associatio and the P-NG Workers’ Associatio (both representing employees), an for the employers, the Port Moresb Chamber of Commerce, Planter Association of NG, Papuan Planter; Association, Morobe Dist r i c Planters’ and Farmers’ Association Lae Chamber of Commerce am Rabaul Chamber of Commerce.
The recommendation was mad at the end of a long public in quiry into native wages by th Native Employment Board. The in quiry began last September am concluded in July. Evidence fille? nearly 1,800 typewritten pages.
The Board has drafted an overaj
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recommendation on native wages which is now being considered by the Administrator, but it is expected the £3 wage will be approved be cause it has been made by agree ment.
Nevertheless, the new wage raises many sticky problems.
What effect will it have on Ad ministration native employees in other big centres, who will also probably insist on the higher wage?
And what effect will it also have on private industry?
The present agreement worker’s minimum wage is 25/- per month, plus rations and accommodation.
Before the war it was 10/- in Papua and 6/- in New Guinea. In 1946 this was raised to 15/- per month in both Territories and in May. 1956, the wage was increased to its present 25/-. The Board will make proposals on this figure.