COVID-19 pandemic control centre’s critical functions ‘at risk of collapsing’ in PNG, leaked government report reveals

There are holes in Papua New Guinea’s COVID-19 quarantine systems, and “critical functions” at its pandemic control centre are “at risk of collapsing” because some staff haven’t been paid, leaked documents reveal.

An internal ministerial briefing written last week, and obtained by the ABC, shows about 40 temporary staff performing “critical functions” at PNG’s National Control Centre for COVID-19 have not been paid since starting work five months ago.

“Some staff are threatening to stop work until they are paid, and some staff have already ceased working until they are paid,” it said.

“Critical functions are at risk of collapsing if the staff are not paid immediately.”

The country’s Health Minister, Jelta Wong, has blamed bureaucratic…