My starting wage in 1986 was PNGK16000.00 +accom+leave fare. In those days PNG16K equalled Aus24K.
In those days 24% was held back and given to you at the end of your contract at 2% tax. Good system...even then I think I was netting about PNGK200/wk...AUS$300 odd although the comparison is not that valid because the cost of living was a little higher in PNG...not a lot though.
But I was also saving PNGK3800+/year...>AUS$5700...and that is what it was worth because that money was spent in Aus.
So here we are 16 years later talking about a country that is very much more demanding to live in, where you are flying the same aircraft...and I mean the same ones(less those we crashed
) not just the same types...for a lot less money. Tax is also much higher now in PNG than it was back then.
And they always ask for PNG experience when advertising for pilots...who do they think they're kidding besides themselves!!
Chuck.