20.08.2025 02:57
Tensions are at an all-time high in the negotiation process between the government and civil servants regarding salary increases. Osman Kaya, the President of the Confederation of State Officials, who staged a protest in front of the Ministry, stated, "We are not being sarcastic; we want sarcasm. The proposed salary increase should be given in Papua New Guinea Kina."
The Public Employees Confederation held a collective bargaining action in front of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security.
The 8th Term Collective Bargaining process, which concerns approximately 4 million civil servants and 2.5 million retired civil servants, is underway. As part of the process, on August 18, the Public Employer Delegation presented its final offer to the civil servant side. Accordingly, they proposed an increase of 11% for the first six months of 2026, 7% for the second six months, 4% for the first six months of 2027, and again 4% for the second six months. In addition to the proposal, a monthly increase of 1,000 lira was also offered.
The Public Employees Confederation, which claims that the last offer made during the process is low, held a demonstration in front of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security. During the demonstration, the President of the Public Employees Confederation, Osman Kaya, made statements.
"WE DO NOT ACCEPT THIS OFFER"
Speaking here, Kaya stated that the offer is insufficient for civil servants, saying, "This offer once again disregards the labor, sweat, and the right to live above the poverty line of millions of civil servants. This offer shows that no progress has been made since the first day of the collective bargaining negotiations; in the weeks that have passed, the authorized confederation has not been able to go beyond empty rhetoric. The so-called final offer will destroy the hopes of public employees regarding their living standards without a chance of revival. We do not accept this offer, we do not accept it, we do not accept it," he expressed.
"THE RAISE SHOULD BE GIVEN IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA KINAS"
Expressing that the authorized confederation has not shown will against the employer, President Kaya stated, "The public employer delegation has only considered budget discipline at the table, disregarding the livelihood concerns of millions with their proposals every time. The authorized confederation has not shown any will and has once again facilitated the employer's hand. I am addressing the authorized confederation from here. Your job is not to hand over the labor of civil servants and the efforts of public employees. It is to show will until the last soldier and until the last breath at that table. Every proposal that disregards the labor of public employees will return not from the table but from the consciences. I am addressing the arbitration board that will be called to duty very soon from here. If you are going to approve every proposal of the public employer delegation word for word, then give the public employer delegation's proposal in Papua New Guinea Kinas. We are not being sarcastic; we want sarcasm. We want the raise proposed by the public employer delegation to be given in Papua New Guinea Kinas," he stated.
As part of the demonstration, confederation members reacted to the proposal with balloons and cooking pots they brought with them.