PNG Teachers Delayed Salaries and Allowances Amidst MPs' Salary Increases

Many Papua New Guineans eagerly anticipate the holiday season, but for some public servants, such as teachers, it can be a challenging time.

In a Facebook group called "PNG Teachers" with over 2500 members, teachers express their struggles with delayed leave fares and boarding/duty allowances, which are supposed to be mandatory entitlements. 

These delays have become a chronic issue that occurs every year, leaving teachers frustrated and struggling to make ends meet during the holiday season.

See the latest pay increase for teachers, click here

PNG Teachers pay compared to PNG MPs salary - current members of parliament in png 2023



Disparity in Salary Increases Compared to MPs

In 2013, when Dr Puka Temu announced a 7.5% salary increase for members of parliament (MPs) along with a concurrent 2.5% increase until 2016, many teachers were hopeful that similar increases would be implemented for public servants. 

However, while MPs received their 7% increase backdated to January 1st of 2013 and continue to enjoy further increases, there are doubts about whether other public servants, including teachers, received their promised increments. 

This disparity in salary increases has left teachers feeling neglected and undervalued.


Challenges with Pay Grade and Pay Slips

Another challenge faced by teachers is the lack of transparency in determining their pay grades. Many teachers, especially new graduates and those in remote locations, do not receive pay slips and may not even know what one looks like. 

Salaries are calculated by adjusting to a midpoint salary, which has increased over the years, but it remains unclear whether teachers have actually received the promised increments for 2013 and 2014. 

This lack of clarity in pay structure and increments adds to the frustration and uncertainty among teachers.

Call for Action and Accountability

Teachers' representatives from the PNG Teachers Association need to highlight these issues and hold the government accountable for their promises. 

It is crucial to address the delays in leave fares and boarding/duty allowances, ensure that teachers receive their pay slips and that the promised salary increments are reflected in their pay. 

With the recent salary increases for MPs, there is a pressing need to ensure that teachers, who play a vital role in educating the nation's youth, are not left behind and are fairly compensated for their hard work and dedication.


As everyone prepares for the holiday season, many teachers are facing challenges with delayed salaries, allowances, and a lack of transparency in the pay structure. 

While MPs have received significant salary increases, teachers feel neglected and undervalued. It is imperative for the government to fulfil their promises and ensure that teachers are fairly compensated for their crucial role in shaping the nation's future. 

Final Words PNG Teachers Delayed Pay and Allowances


In conclusion, teachers' representatives must advocate for their rights and hold the government accountable for addressing these issues promptly. 

It is time to prioritize the welfare of teachers and provide them with the support and recognition they deserve.

Is Papua New Guinea's Capital the Most Dangerous City? livability of Port Moresby depends on the attitudes and actions of its residents

Port Moresby (POM), the capital city of Papua New Guinea, has been labelled as one of the most dangerous cities in the world due to the high rates of crime and violence. However, it is important to note that this classification is largely based on petty criminal offences such as holdups, pickpocketing, and knife and gun crime, including serious crimes such as rape and murder.

Is Papua New Guinea's Capital the Most Dangerous City?


To make Port Moresby a livable city, there needs to be a change in attitude among its residents. It is essential to have a basic command of order in society, with every individual upholding common sense and respecting one another, the law, and themselves. These values are currently lacking, resulting in a disorganized society with high crime rates.

The development of human capital and law and order should be a priority for the city. Law enforcement agencies, such as the police and courts, need to take responsibility for controlling opportunistic crimes and ensuring that citizens are protected. The police should prioritize the protection of citizens over the protection of white-collar criminals and fraudsters.

POM has the potential to become one of the best cities in the world, but this will require political will and civil obedience. It is crucial that all residents work together to rebuild the city and make it a safe and livable place for everyone. 

In addition, there should be efforts to promote economic development in the city, as this can create jobs and improve the standard of living for residents. With economic growth, the city can attract investment, create more opportunities for its citizens, and improve its infrastructure.

Another crucial aspect that needs to be addressed is education. The city needs to invest in its education system to improve literacy rates and ensure that citizens have access to quality education. Education can also promote civic engagement and a sense of responsibility among residents, which can lead to a safer and more livable city.

In conclusion, the livability of Port Moresby depends on the attitudes and actions of its residents. It is essential to prioritize the development of human capital and law and order, promote economic growth, and invest in education to create a safer and more livable city for all.

PNG MPs Salary: Why Are MPs Getting Raises While Lower-Level Public Servants Struggle?

In Papua New Guinea (PNG), there have been many reforms taking place in various government departments, such as health and education, which have placed a significant burden on the implementers, including teachers. 

While there have been pay increases for teachers in recent years, the same cannot be said for Members of Parliament (MPs), who seem to be getting raises almost every year. 

This article aims to explore the issue of MPs' salaries in PNG and question the need for frequent increases while lower-level public servants struggle.

Reforms and Burden on Implementers

The reforms in PNG, particularly in the fields of health and education, have been challenging for those tasked with implementing them. 

Teachers, in particular, have been under immense pressure due to limited resources and increased workloads. 

These reforms are aimed at improving the quality of education and healthcare services in the country, but the burden on the implementers cannot be ignored.

Pay Increase for Teachers

In 2013, there was commendable news for teachers as a pay increase was announced by Dr Puka Temu, the Public Service Minister in the government of Peter O'Neill. 

However, this increase was backdated to January 2013 and paid just before Christmas, which raised eyebrows among the public. 

The question then arises: why do MPs get frequent raises while other public servants have to wait for years for an increase?

MPs' Frequent Raises

A closer look at the history of pay increases for MPs in PNG reveals a concerning trend. 

In November 2010, Sir Michael Somare's government unanimously approved a massive 52% pay rise just before Christmas, which was followed by another 7% increase in November 2013, backdated to January 2013. 

These frequent raises for MPs raise questions about their necessity and whether MPs truly deserve such increases.

recent PNG PMs pay increase

Unjustified Increases

It is hard to understand why MPs in PNG receive such frequent raises, especially when lower-level public servants, such as teachers and health workers, struggle with limited salaries. 

The massive increases in MPs' salaries sustain their lavish lifestyles, but do they really need these raises? 

The government has also announced separate increases for public sector workers, including MPs, but it is unclear whether this increase applies to community school teachers and community health workers.

Have a look at what teachers in countries like Fiji are getting compared to PNG teachers.

Comparison of Salaries

A comparison of the salaries of MPs and lower-level public servants in PNG paints a stark picture. 

Prime Minister, Speaker of Parliament, DPM, and Opposition Leader earn significantly higher salaries compared to classroom teachers, government ministers, and provincial governors. 

In fact, the average salary of a PNG classroom teacher is compounded to be only K21,525 for the year 2014, while MPs earn much higher salaries.

PNG MPs Salary latest

Final words...

In conclusion, the issue of MPs' salaries in PNG raises concerns about the frequency of raises and the disparity between the salaries of MPs and lower-level public servants. 

While reforms are taking place in various government departments, and public servants, particularly teachers, are burdened with increased workloads and limited resources, it seems unfair for MPs to receive frequent raises to sustain their lavish lifestyles. 

It is time for the government to reconsider the justification for these raises and ensure that lower-level public servants are also fairly compensated for their hard work.

Fighting The White Collar Criminals and Fraudsters in Papua New Guinea, No Room For Complacency



Transparency International’s most recent survey of global corruption (2014) revealed that PNG was 145th of 175 nations in the World, with the 175th being the most corrupt. In the Asia Pacific region, PNG was placed 21st with North Korea ranked 25th - placing PNG just 4 places away from a nation described as most authoritarian (dictatorial) regime in the 21st century.

This number captured informed views of analysts, business people and experts who have worked and lived in PNG. No one can dispute intelligence and experience of these experts unless significant improvements are evident within public service and law and justice sector.

What is important here is the reality that decision makers (politicians) and public service machinery (public servants) are putting PNG amongst the worst of corrupt nations on Earth. 

In order to improve the country’s ranking, first political leaders have to take the lead. That means that the Cabinet has to either set up anticorruption bodies, empower existing fraud investigation squad or both. Task Force Sweep – the anticorruption body set up by Peter O’Neill in August 2011 - was established in good faith. 

Any political initiatives for fighting corruption have to be formally sanctioned through the Constitution and given legal powers to both investigate and prosecute alleged white collar criminals. It must not be subjective to Cabinet ministers who are likely to withdraw support when they are investigated.

Independence of such graft fighting body is important. This will stop what happened to Task Force Sweep where the prime minister disbanded it when he was the subject of their investigation. Recent report revealed that this anticorruption body is stuffed off funds and on the verge of closing all its investigations. This is a direct blow as far as fighting corruption is concerned. 

The government has to remain true to the effort to reduce white collar crimes and fraudulent activities in the public sector by releasing K7 million funding for this year (2014). On the same token, the government of Peter O'Neill has to increase the funding for this effective but underfunded anticorruption watchdog. 

Second, public service departmental heads and secretaries will have to be appointed on merit instead of appointed by political affiliation. Questions have to be asked now to ascertain appointees to every government ministerial position. Wantoks and political allies must not sit at those positions if they do not have the experiences and credentials.

This is where corruption takes hold of government systems . To reduce fraudulent activities in public sector offices, a recruitment system has to be set up in future to recruit eligible candidates from within and overseas who can deliver on policy provisions and delivery of goods and services to cities, towns and villages in the country.

Meanwhile, a proper review of ‘who’ is doing ‘what’ is long overdue, starting with the prime minister’s office including every position within the 32 ministries in the government.

So has PNG seen an improvement in the fight against corruption? Regardless of public and international perception on corruption, there is some signs of improvement. Task Force Sweep had arrested over 50 people and recouped K60 million15 MPs are currently under investigation for white collar crimes and corruption: 3 are found guilty;

- PM for Pomio Paul Tiensten is convicted of ‘making a footnote on a project proposal that compelled the officers of National Planning to bypass the lawful processes and procedures in making payment’ of K10 million to Travel Air  and is serving 9 years in Bomana Prison

- Gulf Governor Havila Kavo is given 3 years prison sentence for has been found guilty of misusing K130 000 from a trust account belonging to the people of Kikori district for infrastructure.

- MP for Komo-Magarima Francis Potape found guilty by the National Court of misusing K330,000 of public funds.


Many Papua New Guineans thought maximum sentence of 10 years for misappropriation of public funds did not match the amount of money these white collar criminals and fraudsters siphoned. But the fact is that justice was served. That is what matters the most.

Task Force Sweep has to keep the momentum. The government has to release funds for it to operate. Not doing so means that Peter O'Neill and Leo Dion's government are starving a vital investigative body to death, thus nursing corruption. 

Blast from the recent past | Goroka Coffee Ranked Third in World Competition

Quality coffee produced by a local coffee producer was ranked third in an international coffee cupping competition in the United States of America recently.

The Sihereni coffee estate, owned and operated by David Orimarie in the Kwonghi area of Upper Asaro Local Level Government in Daulo District of Eastern Highlands Province won the 3rd placing among a total of 30 coffee samples of different coffee producing countries collected by Ecom Trading around the world.

The coffee was tasted and certified by the Rainforest Alliance under “The Best of Ecom Coffee” competition using cupping standards of the Specialty Coffee Association of America.

During a recent announcement of the award at the Heaven Resort in Goroka, managing director of Monpi Coffee Exports,Chris Anders expressed great satisfaction on the achievement. Monpi Coffee Exports is a subsidiary of Ecom Trading, an international commodity trading company. Anders said, the result reflects the commitment and persistency of Orimarie to achieve top quality coffee.

“Sihereni’s achievement is an achievement of the PNG coffee industry,” said Anders.
Orimarie acquired the 22 hectares estate planted with a mixture of Arusha and Blue Mountain, in 2002 and has been in partnership with the Monpi Coffee Exports to improve his wet mill and acquire advice on agronomy, better business practice and seek niche markets. He expressesed great satisfaction on the achievement and attributed the achievement to Monpi Coffee Exports for the much needed advice and guidance.

“Quality control is the basis of our operation. Quality control standards have been established and are made sure they are maintained at all times,” said Orimarie in a previous media report written by reporter James Kila.

The report states that Sihereni has developed quickly to gain more reputation in the international and local coffee and finance community through its initiatives to produce quality coffee and practice good financial management.

The coffee samples from Sihereni scored 85 points and was described as having the taste of; melon, black tea, grapefruit, intense fruit, herby, tomato soup, sweet, bright acidity, medium body, adds grapefruit and floras in finish as cools.

Manager for Industry Regulation and Compliance at the Coffee Industry Corporation,Sam Menanga, shared similar sentiments and urged other coffee companies to follow suit in producing quality coffee to attract niche markets.

From POST COURIER


Fri 25 Oct 2013

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