Fishy business. The Social Impact of SST.pdf - Act Now!

owns the land legally and therefore it will not be proper to pay those who once own the landtraditionally. All stakeholders including the landowners were consulted initially of the project(Loining Factory) and all were very much supportive. Despite the land issues/disputeslandowners from both Meni and Kreer were involved/consulted in the initial planning of theLoining Factory. As stated by the project officer landowners were consulted and were involvedinitially of the relocation of the Loining Factory (to the land where it is now).The project officerdoes not seem too sure if there was an environmental studies carried out since such studies areprerequisite to any project development. However, he did mention that he is only aware of aenvironmental plan which was approved by the Government through the Department ofEnvironment and Conservation (DEC). The officer also could recalled that, a team as assignedby the company SST went around making awareness on the environmental impact of the loineryif established. One of the things promised was that the loinery will not produce the foul smell.The people were made to believe that new technology used will not produced the foul smell thatthe people of Madang are experiencing. The people were misinformed and now there weremuch complaints of the foul smell produced from almost all residents of Wewak and visitors aswell. The officer interviewed said that smell is pollution and it is not good for outside investorswho are interested in businesses other than fishing.Unwanted fish are caught and thrown back into the waters. For example; when the fishermencatch sharks they only cut fins and get them and throw them away. According to our countrylaw endangered species are to be protected. However, that is not the case as admitted by theofficer interviewed. Socio-economic impact studies of the factory were never carried out and ifone was carried out the officer is not aware of it. In terms of shares in the business only theProvincial Government has shares. The officer expressed concerns that the LLGs should havesome shares in the business.The terms and conditions of the employees especially their salary/wages has been poor and isbelow the minimum wages as allowed by the Minimum Wages Board. The employees of thefactory are supposed to be paid a minimum of K1.00 per hour but as the case is some are paid aslow as 50 toea per hour. Each employee is required to work at least 13 hours per day and will bemaking an average of about K13.00 per hour and in two weeks one should be making aroundK130.00The sad thing is that there are cases where some SST employees from areas like Hawain havetravel everyday by PMV at the cost K4.00 to and fro. If they have to travel 10 days to workapproximately 31 % (K40.00) of their pay goes to travel cost. The other 69 % of their pay goesto other needs and expenses.The officer interviewed said that it would be good if the company provided transportation foremployees pick up and drop off. Since the establishment of the factory the Guard Dog SecurityServices where brought into Wewak. It created employment while at the same time law andorder problems declined.In terms of employment locals are occupying the positions of second level management and onthe over all has created an employment of 1000+ residence of Wewak specially, those living inthe settlements. In addition he stated these people are here to stay. It the responsibility of thegovernment try and find means and ways to cater for their needs. One way is to get investorsinto the province which will then create employment for those living in the settlements as wellas others who are seeking employment.Interview with Gunu Gao, Assistant Manager Customs (IRC) Wewak:133