Firms in PNG Lose 10 Working Days for Each Employee Every Year Due to Violence: IFC Study

Jul 30, 2021 | Business

New research shows family and sexual violence is costing employers in Papua New Guinea almost 10 days of work per employee each year, equating to a financial impact of PGK 7.3 million (US$2.1 million) for participating companies.

The research, revealed in the report Workplace Responses to Family and Sexual Violence in PNG: Measuring the Business Case​, underscores the vital role employers play in supporting staff impacted by family and sexual violence. The report by IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, in partnership with Business Coalition for Women, shows the cost of family and sexual violence to businesses is significantly reduced when businesses are more gender-equal and provide support for affected employees.

“This study underscores that businesses that are more gender equal, and which provide workplace support for those impacted by family and sexual violence, also see more positive results,” said Alfonso Garcia Mora, IFC Vice President for Asia and Pacific. “Put simply, this also means less acceptance of family and sexual violence, greater recognition of the impact of this violence on staff which leads to more reporting of cases, as well as ultimately fewer days lost to the impacts of family and sexual violence.”

This groundbreaking report, released at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic is exacerbating gender-based violence, also makes several key recommendations for businesses, such as implementing policies, procedures, and training to respond to family and sexual violence and help employees affected by violence. It also recommends regular awareness sessions to guide workplace responses to family and sexual violence and to let employees know of available help.

“We partnered with IFC on this important research because it directly contributes to our core aim of helping the private sector recruit, retain and promote women,” said Evonne Kennedy, Executive Director of the Business Coalition for Women (BCFW). “We are working with many major companies in PNG to address violence, promote women’s leadership and implement human resources policies and processes. With this research we want to encourage more businesses to introduce workplace support for staff affected by family and sexual violence.”

The research, based on a survey of 1,400 employees from three major companies, revealed businesses with gender-balanced workforces and lower acceptance of violence among employees had higher rates of reporting of violence, and reduced business costs. Acceptance of violence was up to 8 percentage points lower—where men and women comprised between 40 and 60 percent of the workforce—and reporting of violence was up to 6 percentage points higher. Further, the number of workdays estimated to be lost to the impacts of violence was up to 8.67 days lower per employee each year.

“Creating respectful workplaces that are free from all forms of violence and harassment is essential to ensure employee well-being and improve productivity while driving better business returns,” said Rachel Moseley, Acting Australian High Commissioner to PNG. “Effective measures to support staff who experience family and sexual violence may also help businesses reduce lost time, employee turnover, and strengthen women’s participation in the country’s workforce.”

“This is an important piece of research that comes at a crucial time when Papua New Guinea is also dealing with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, which unfortunately has only increased the incidence of gender-based violence,” said Phillip Taula, New Zealand High Commissioner to PNG. “This report is not only welcome as a document that can inform the business sector as to the social and financial implications of gender-based violence but which can also inspire positive action.”

Almost half of all respondents in the survey and 53 percent of all female respondents reported having experienced violence within their lifetimes.  A majority of participants affected by family and sexual violence (88 percent) experienced emotional abuse, harassment or intimidation by a family or household member, while 80 percent were threatened, and 72 percent physically assaulted by a family or household member. There are early signs that measures recently introduced by the three companies, such as a team of staff trained to support colleagues and a subscription to the Bel isi PNG support service are making positive differences. The impact was stronger for companies with a gender-balanced workforce.

Family and sexual violence harms the lives of people directly affected by it, their families, and their communities. Rates of violence against women and girls in the Pacific are higher than the global rate, with the World Health Organization estimating 31 percent of ever-partnered women in PNG have experienced violence within the last 12 months. COVID-19-related lockdowns further reduced access to basic needs, increasing financial stress and social isolation and limiting the ability to escape abusive partners.

IFC partnered with BCFW, a non-profit organization established in 2014 by IFC—with funding from the Australian government—to conduct a two-year research project to better understand how companies in PNG can support employees affected by family and sexual violence.

About the PNG Partnership
IFC’s work in Papua New Guinea is guided by the PNG Partnership. Australia, New Zealand and IFC are working together through the Partnership to stimulate private sector investment and reduce poverty in Papua New Guinea.

About IFC
IFC—a member of the World Bank Group—is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2020, we invested $22 billion in private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.

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The John Abio Scholarship – Working to Inspire Future Entrepreneurs

Jun 29, 2021 | Business

Future entrepreneurs enrolled in a business undergraduate program in the US are now welcome to apply for the John Abio Scholarship.

After graduating from Southern Methodist University with a B.A. degree in Political Science, John Abio spent the start of his career working his way up within large insurance companies. However, John soon became interested in founding his own business and successfully formed companies within the Finance, Medical, Oil & Gas, and Real Estate industries. John currently resides in Boca Raton, Florida, with his family and is excited to share his knowledge and passion for business with the next generation.

Inspiring the Next Generation of Young Entrepreneurs
After founding these successful companies, John became passionate about inspiring young entrepreneurs across the country. As a business owner, he is excited to give back to future generations and inspire them to follow along the same fulfilling path he’s experienced during his career. The John Abio Scholarship will be awarded to a university business undergrad student in the US who is passionate about a career in entrepreneurship in the future.

John understands the financial and personal challenges that young entrepreneurs often face today and hopes to encourage them at the starting point of their career. John is clearly a very generous individual, and this is always apparent by the time and energy he offers to anyone he works with. He hopes to relieve the scholarship’s winner of some of the financial burdens of college, so they can focus their energy on their entrepreneurial endeavours.

Applying for the Scholarship
To apply for the scholarship, you must currently be a business undergraduate student in the US or a high school student that is about to start college to study for a business degree. The application process requires you to write an essay of 1000 words or less, which is how the award’s winner will be selected. The topic of the essay is:

“Describe an industry in the world that needs drastic improvement and how a new business idea would make that industry better.”

Selecting the Winner
The John Abio Scholarship will be awarded to one student, who will receive a generous one-time award of $1,000. The deadline for applications is on December 15, 2021, and the winner will be announced on January 15, 2022. The funds will be deposited directly into the winner’s account, and John is excited to review the applications that are received and speak with the winner about their entrepreneurial pursuits.

How to Apply
In order to apply for the John Abio Scholarship, please follow the instructions below:

· Write your answer to the essay question described above in 1000 words or less within a Word document.
· Submit your application to john@johnabioscholarship.com.
· As well as your application essay, please ensure you include your full name, phone number, address, and email address.
· Ensure you also include your High School name and graduation date, your university name, personal bio, and your GPA.

John will notify the winner of the award by email, and the winner’s details will be added in the future to the John Abio Scholarship website.

Hong Kong – Government and Working Group assist dine-in catering premises in improving air change or installing air purifiers with multi-pronged approach (with photos)

May 10, 2021 | International

Government and Working Group assist dine-in catering premises in improving air change or installing air purifiers with multi-pronged approach (with photos)

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     The Secretary for Food and Health has earlier stipulated a requirement on air change or air purifiers to be complied with in dine-in catering premises in the directions in relation to the catering business under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F) (the Regulation). The Working Group, established for the smooth implementation of the requirement, together with various government departments have been adopting a multi-pronged approach in assisting catering premises operators and ventilation works contractors to smoothly implement the requirement, so as to protect the health of staff, customers and the public and to fortify the public’s confidence in patronising catering premises.

     In support of the goal of completing the registration by catering premises operators by April 30, the Working Group convened its third meeting yesterday (April 19) to review the work progress over the past month and discuss the specific work for the next stage. On assisting catering premises operators and specialist contractors (ventilation works category), the progress made by the Working Group and relevant government departments was as follows:

(a) an online platform, with a link to the webpage of the Buildings Department (www.bd.gov.hk/en/resources/online-tools/registers-search/registrationsearch.html) containing the list of 180 specialist contractors (ventilation works category), was launched by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) on March 18 for registration in respect of catering premises;

(b) meetings were held with trade representatives from the trades of catering premises, specialist contractors (ventilation works category), electrical appliance suppliers and the hotels; 

(c) a list of air purifiers meeting the specified specifications was announced and uploaded to the FEHD’s website on April 1. The composite list (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/licensing/guide_general_reference/Information_air-changes_purification.html) has been updated in response to the supplementary information made by the submitters from time to time. As at April 19, a total of 305 air purifiers met the specified specifications; and

(d) A Guide on Compliance with the Requirement on Air Change/Air Purifiers in Seating Areas of Dine-in Catering Premises (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/licensing/guide_general_reference/guide_on_compliance_with_requirement_on_air_change.html) was promulgated on April 11 with a video uploaded to the FEHD’s website (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/licensing/guide_general_reference/Reference_Video_for_ACH-Air_purifier.mp4) to enable the trade to master the essential points on specific technical details and facilitate expeditious follow-up arrangements for the prompt implementation of the relevant ventilation requirement. 

     At yesterday’s meeting, the Working Group and relevant government departments agreed on the follow-up work below as the plan for the next stage:

(a) continue to enhance publicity and education with a view to assisting the trade in grasping the key concepts and relevant follow-up arrangements regarding enhancement of air change of premises and installation of air purifiers;

(b) organise a webinar for direct communication between catering business operators and specialist contractors (ventilation works category);

(c) according to information obtained by the Working Group, there is a stock of around 36 000 air purifiers of which the models meet the specified specifications available in the market. Yet individual demand and supply may be subject to commercial considerations; and

(d) continue to meet with representatives of the trades and the stakeholders.
    
     The Working Group and relevant government departments today (April 20) visited a number of catering premises (including a bar, a Chinese restaurant, a Hong Kong-style tea restaurant and a hotel restaurant) to learn more about their successful examples and experiences of difficulties faced. A video of the experience sharing will be uploaded to the FEHD’s webpage later with a view to assisting other cases in finding appropriate solutions.

     A Government spokesman said, “To comply with the requirements on air change or air purifiers in catering premises under the Regulation, catering premises operators are required to register with the FEHD on or before April 30 that the air change per hour at seating areas of their premises has reached six, or air purifiers that meet the specified specifications have been installed according to the on-the-ground situation, together with a certificate issued by a registered specialist contractor (ventilation works category). As at April 19, 1 317 catering premises have submitted online registrations and another 129 have submitted online declarations before March 18 through the voluntary declaration scheme.

     “Catering premises must submit an application of extension to the FEHD if they are unable to complete the registration on time. The FEHD will consider each case based on individual circumstances. Individual catering premises operators, after having taken reasonably practicable steps in an attempt to meet the relevant requirement, do not have to be overly worried and they may, if necessary, download the form from the FEHD’s website (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/licensing/guide_general_reference/Application_for_extension_of_time_for_registration_on_air_change_installation_of_air_purifier_in_catering_premises.html) and submit the application in accordance with the instructions on the website. If the application is approved, the catering premises must complete the registration within the deadline specified by the FEHD. During the initial stage of the implementation of the new requirement, the department will focus on publicity and education as well as providing advices, and will closely monitor the relevant situation and adjust the arrangements in due course,” the spokesman added.

     The Chairman of the Working Group, Professor Yuen Pak-leung, said, “Our common goal is to restore to normality in a gradual and orderly manner under the premise of upholding the anti-epidemic principles. Working together to implement relevant ventilation requirement as soon as possible can protect the health of staff, customers and the public, and fortify the public’s confidence in patronising catering premises. We hope to be able to refrain from using a ‘stop and go’ approach on the catering industry, in face of the epidemic situation in future.”

     Regarding the requirement stipulated under the Regulation that the air change per hour (ACH) at seating areas of dine-in catering premises must reach at least six, the Government spokesman stressed that although there is currently no uniform standard across the world on ventilation requirements for catering premises in response to prevention of COVID-19 transmission, it is generally agreed that improving ventilation measures could assist in infection control. With reference to various materials around the world, including ventilation standards applicable to non-residential buildings, relevant scientific and clinical research, and information provided by the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers of the United Kingdom and others on design guidelines for ventilation systems at public venues (including catering premises), the Government, after balancing relevant factors including effectiveness of the measures and the affordability of the trade, took on board in last October the ACH at seating areas of catering premises at six as the threshold for the voluntary declaration system, which has been codified into the mandatory registration system this March. The ACH at six is equivalent to 27 cubic metres per hour per person, which is higher than 17 cubic m per hour per person as stipulated under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132).

Hong Kong – Government and Working Group strive together with stakeholders to assist dine-in catering premises in improving air change or installing air purifiers

Apr 28, 2021 | International

Government and Working Group strive together with stakeholders to assist dine-in catering premises in improving air change or installing air purifiers

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     The Secretary for Food and Health has earlier stipulated a requirement on air change or air purifiers to be complied with in dine-in catering premises in the directions in relation to the catering business under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F) (the Regulation). The Working Group, established for the smooth implementation of the requirement, together with relevant government departments continued to proactively co-operate with stakeholders including catering business operators and ventilation works contractors, and are committed to assisting them to smoothly implement the requirement, so as to protect the health of staff, customers and the public and to fortify the public’s confidence in patronising catering premises.

     Further to a meeting with the Real Estate Developers Association of Hong Kong on April 23, the Working Group together with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department held a webinar today (April 27) attended by stakeholders from the catering sector through the invitation of the Efficiency Office in support of the Business Facilitation Advisory Committee. Attendees exchanged views on matters of mutual concern candidly and would strive together to comply with relevant requirements. The Working Group has also uploaded to the FEHD’s webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/licensing/guide_general_reference/question_air-changes_purification.html) a set of frequently-asked questions and answers to address issues of concerns raised by the trade and specialist contractors, and will later on upload video of the webinar following editing to the FEHD’s webpage.

     A Government spokesman reminded catering business operators that in order to comply with the requirements on air change or air purifiers in catering premises under the Regulation, they are required to register with the FEHD on or before April 30 that the air change per hour at seating areas of their premises has reached at least six, or air purifiers that meet the specified specifications have been installed according to the on-the-ground situation, together with a certificate issued by a registered specialist contractor (ventilation works category). As at April 26, 2 995 catering premises have submitted online registrations and another 129 have submitted online declarations before March 18 through the voluntary declaration scheme. The FEHD is also constructing a thematic page to facilitate different stakeholders including catering business operators and ventilation works contractors in browsing and searching relevant materials with a view to assisting them in completing the registration.

     “Catering premises must submit an application of extension to the FEHD if they are unable to complete the registration on time. The application form can be downloaded from the FEHD’s webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/licensing/guide_general_reference/Application_for_extension_of_time_for_registration_on_air_change_installation_of_air_purifier_in_catering_premises.html) or by scanning the QR code in the attachment. After submitting the application, catering business operators must complete the registration within the deadline specified in the FEHD’s reply. In the meantime, premises which have submitted such an application may observe the time limit applicable to the daily dine-in service and be subject to the cap on the number of persons that may be seated at one table etc. in accordance with the applicable directions prevailing at the time. The FEHD will handle separately cases which did not apply for extension or where their applications have been rejected or failed to follow up completing the registration within the extended time limit specified by the FEHD. During the initial stage of the implementation of the new requirement, the department will focus on publicity and education as well as providing advice, and will closely monitor the relevant situation and adjust the arrangements in due course,” the spokesman said.

     The spokesman strongly appealed to catering business operators to fight the virus together, and strictly comply with the relevant regulations on prevention and control of disease in a persistent manner to protect personal and public health.