The Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry has asked the government to pay over K100 million in unpaid dues to its members in order to help them develop their businesses.
Stacey O'Nea, the Chamber's chief executive officer, stated that they are not after free handouts or a stimulus budget for companies; rather, they want what is owed to them to be compensated so that their businesses can be stimulated.
“Many of our members are starting to scale down and are letting go of their employees due to the impact of COVID-19 on the country’s economy, and businesses are unable to continue to save jobs in the current prolonged COVID-19 threat environment,” she said.
“The sensitive issue of job loss also has an impact on livelihoods in PNG’s extended family system and has a direct spillover effect on social and security issues.
“Coupled with ongoing concerns on revenue challenges, subsequent profit decline, depreciating kina, forex availability, increased fuel and security costs and COVID-19 restrictions are a myriad of serious challenges shared across our businesses and industries.”
O'Nea stated that the chamber is in talks with relevant authorities over receiving government compensation owed to its members.
“While we are thankful for the Government’s efforts this year towards settling a number of urgent arrears for rentals, goods and services, we urge continuity of payments for contracts that have satisfied the vetting process, as they will help act as a stimulus to sustain operations in these times for our businesses and industries,” she said.
Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Belden Namah has said that the economy is in free fall and has urged the government to ease controls on enterprises and social events as soon as possible while maintaining the new standard.
Lockdowns, he claimed, are killing the economy by throwing workers out of jobs and forcing companies to close.
