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Malabag presses for affordable homes
By
EDDIE MOSES
PRESIDENT of PEA and PNG Trade Union Congress, Michael Malabag, has supported the NRI's Spotlight publication on the void in legislative framework to address the acute housing shortage in urban centres. He said the current legal framework relating to land and housing development needed to be reviewed and appropriate legislation drafted. He said though numerous position papers on the acute housing problem in urban centres have been developed and presented before various forums nothing constructive has progressed beyond the tabling of these reports. "Forced by the high rental rates and lack of housing, workers have resorted to seeking refuge in the settlements. It is a vicious cycle that threatens to unleash a new set of encroachments which may become entrenched if not treated early." he said The Union boss said that most superannuation funds have produced housing schemes which while well intentioned, unfortunately, are tailor made mainly for those in the higher income bracket. "A comprehensive housing policy must be one that is accessible to all workers at every level and not one that addresses the needs only for those fortunate enough to afford costly mortgages," he said. He said enclave housing in both the public and private sector have largely been the result of strong unions exerting industrial pressure for the provision of housing for their members. "Many private sector employers shirk their responsibility with regard to housing requirements for their employees. Many employers even if they find themselves in a position to construct housing deliberately steer away from the responsibility to do so. Their standing policy is that housing is not a condition of employment but expect their workers to be punctual and productive at work," he said. Mr Malabag said the rigid requirements offered by the finance institutions at present make it almost impossible for housing to be developed beyond its present parameters. "Banks must be required to relax their lending requirements and offer less than five percent interest rates to first home owners," he said. "If housing is done on a massive scale (nationwide) it will contribute significantly towards a substantial increase in our gross national product. What is required is the development of a policy prescription that encapsulates the national scenario and treats housing as both a social and economic imperative," he said. |
NEWS
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