Public Employees Association launches corporate plan

Public Employees Association launched a historic corporate plan for the first time since its formation in 1974.

The corporate plan 2024-2026 is a road map for PEA to actively perform its duties as the negotiating agent for the public service in the country.

The plan consists of six working areas, which include improving and strengthening management capacity, research, union advocacy, fair services and products, structural adjustments, effective compliance, and strengthening stakeholder engagement.

PEA president Paul Isorua said they have been operating on an ad-hoc basis and with the corporate plan now launched, it would enhance their performance.

“We want to break that barrier now and come up with a plan that can guide us going forward from 2024 onwards. It may not be the perfect plan. We want to have a launching pad that we can work on from here.

“So they have to have a plan in place to base their activities from moving on. It is also fitting that I acknowledge the great unionists who have gone before us in ensuring that this great institution is reborn. Our effort to continue this union is reflected in the corporate plan that has been launched.

“The union has operated on an ad hoc basis for decades without a roadmap, and we now have a corporate plan to guide and trip on our effort.”

PEA was formed on the 5th of May 1974 as a result of the amalgamation of the Public Employees Association of the Territory of Papua New Guinea and the Public Service Association of the Territory of Papua New Guinea pre-independence.

PEA general secretary Ugwalubu Mowana said there has never been a plan to guide the association over seven decades.

He said the approach now is to work towards achieving the key agendas outlined in the corporate plan.

“Although this document was not yet launched, we were able to put our activities and our passion and our hard work and our commitment towards it,” Mowana said.

“And I hope by 2026 before this plan expires, we should realize some improvement in the way PEA has performed on behalf of its members.

“The government under the MOU of 2012 regulates the industrial relations behavior in the public service and further strengthened through general order number 21. The government has recognized that PEA is the negotiating agent for the public service and I'm proud of that and over the last two months, it has been my effort to make sure that the unions regroup in the public service.”

Mowana urged the government to open up dialogue and consultation with the unions as they represent the core voices of the public service workers in the country.