PNG minimum wages. National 19 June 06. p5

"Immediately applicable throughout PNG is a new minimum wage. Government ineptitude has delayed application of the new minimum wage for over two years. The new wage was agreed to on Nov 18, 2003, and was only published in the National Gazette on March 29 this year. Minimum wages for adults has been doubled from K18.55 per week to K37.18 per week. Youths between 16 and 18 have their wages increased from a minimum of K14.15 to K27.91. Camping allowances have been increased from 40 toea per day to 80 toea per day. Tool allowance has been set at K1 per week and heavy duty allowance has doubled from K1.88 to K3.72 per week. With the deregulation of wages in the 1992 minimum wage determination, these rates will apply mostly to the rural sector and might also impact on the security industry. Mr Jeffery said other applicable rates will have been negotiated as industry award or by workplace agreements. The new rates are - Senior rate: 84.5 toea per hour (44 hour week) — 50.7 % increase; Youth rates: 63.4 toea per hour (16-18 yrs old) — 50.7 % increase". (My comment: K1 = A 42 cents; 80 toea = 34 cents. This is the type of thing Australian voters voted for last election. Be happy!)