14 Jul 2004

Resident medical officers in Papua New Guinea walk off job

1:32 pm on 14 July 2004

Resident medical officers in Papua New Guinea have walked off their jobs again in protest over the non-payment of their salaries.

The RMOs, who include pharmacists, radiographers, laboratory technicians and dentists, are upset that the health authorities have failed to pay their salaries as promised after their first walk-off last month.

The medical officers say they've only received written documents showing approval for their pay but they haven't actually received anything.

The National newspaper says the RMOs plan to stay off work until the money shows up in their accounts.

Group representative, Dr Tony Sonson, says that apart from an advance payment, more than 121 RMOs have been working without pay or any other entitlement for more than seven months.

The walk-off work notice has been sent out from Port Moresby to other hospitals around the country, asking them to show support for the action.