keep up to date on events regarding logging in PNG...the corruption and the idividuals implicated...
Check the website: http://www.masalai-i-tokaut.com
PORT MORESBY -- Papua New Guineans are being treated as slaves and forced to live in appalling conditions in logging camps run by a Malaysian timber giant, PNG's parliament has been told.
Huon Gulf MP Sasa Zibe called on Forestry Minister Patrick Pruaitch to expel the company, Rimbunan Hijau, or quit.
"The company's treatment of citizen employees reflects labour exploitation and slavery and should be condemned at all levels," Mr Zibe said, quoting from a Department of Labour and Employment report.
Workers were vulnerable to death and injury because of an appalling lack of health and safety standards, the report said.
Living conditions were unsafe and overcrowded with six single workers sharing a room six metres long and four metres across. Two families had to share a single space with only a blanket to separate them and one light switch, Mr Zibe said.
The report also found large numbers of illegal workers were in the logging camps, as many as 80 in one camp alone.
Mr Pruaitch said he had not seen the report and many unfair criticisms were levelled against logging companies AAP"
Post Courier