PNG Salary Disparity: Kua on Expat Pay vs. Local Wages – MP Kerenga Kua addresses the excessive benefits given to expats.

PNG Salary Disparity: Kua on Expat Pay vs. Local Wages

MP Kerenga Kua Addresses the Excessive Benefits Given to Expats

Papua Niugini

In a strongest statement, Member for Sinesine-Yongomugl and former Justice Minister Hon. Kerenga Kua has raised serious concerns about the ongoing salary disparities between Papua New Guinean employees and expatriate consultants.

Speaking at a recent press conference, Kua brought to light what many in the country have long suspected. Foreign contractors and consultants are reaping disproportionate financial rewards, often at the expense of local professionals and public service sustainability.

Disproportionate Pay: A Systemic Issue

Kua began by pointing out a troubling norm in Papua New Guinea’s employment landscape: expatriates negotiating excessive benefits packages far beyond the limits outlined by the country’s Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).

While local staff are expected to operate within tightly regulated salary scales. Expatriates often receive six-figure contracts, luxurious housing, international travel allowances, security escorts, and tax-free benefits. A stark contrast to the conditions faced by their local counterparts.

“These disparities are more than just numbers on a payroll,” Kua stated. “They represent a broader issue of inequity and the failure to adequately recognize the value and capability of our local workforce.”

The Call for Reform and Oversight

Kua did not stop at criticism. He called for immediate government intervention. He proposed that the PNG government should introduce enforceable salary ceilings for expatriate contractors to curb the exploitation and unchecked negotiation of inflated packages.

Such a move would not only reduce unnecessary public spending but would also uplift the morale and standing of local professionals.

“There must be clear guidelines and oversight,” Kua emphasized. “We cannot continue to allow contractors to write their own terms while our own people work for far less, often under more challenging conditions.”

A Matter of National Integrity and Self-Reliance

At the heart of Kua’s concerns lies a deeper issue national sovereignty and self-worth. Papua New Guinea, like many developing nations, has long depended on foreign expertise for technical support in both public and private sectors. However, this dependency has often come with a high price tag, not just in kina but in undermining the confidence in local talent.

Kua suggested that the time has come for a strategic shift from over-reliance on expatriates to building and empowering local capacity.

“We have skilled professionals in this country,” he said. “Engineers, economists, administrators. Many of whom have been educated overseas. Yet, they are routinely overlooked or underpaid compared to someone flown in from abroad. That must change.”

Corruption and Enforcement

Kua also hinted that this issue of salary disparity is not isolated. In future statements, he plans to connect these concerns to broader themes of corruption and weak enforcement mechanisms in the public service.

The unchecked approval of bloated expatriate contracts, he implied, may point to deeper flaws in governance.

“There is a need for greater transparency in how these contracts are awarded,” Kua said. “Without firm law enforcement and accountability, we risk perpetuating a system that enriches a few while draining resources from many.”

The Road Ahead: Policy or Politics?

While Kua’s remarks have resonated with many, the real test lies in whether his advocacy will translate into tangible policy change. Will the government implement salary caps? Will the SRC revise its framework to address foreign contractor excesses? Or will entrenched interests resist these reforms?

Kua remains committed. “This is not about chasing away foreign workers,” he clarified. “It’s about fairness, accountability, and ensuring our country’s human capital is not just recognized but rightfully rewarded.”

A Wake-Up Call for PNG

MP Kerenga Kua’s bold stand on expatriate salary excesses is a wake-up call for Papua New Guinea. As the country strives to navigate economic challenges, improve governance, and empower its people, addressing salary disparities between locals and expats is a crucial step. It’s a matter of national pride, fiscal responsibility, and social justice.

The question now is whether the leadership across government institutions will rise to the challenge or whether, once again, the local worker will be left behind.

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