Dispute over Government Pay in Papua Leads to Deadly Rioting

Dispute over Government Pay in Papua Leads to Deadly Rioting

巴布亚政府工资纠纷引发致命骚乱

【听力音频】

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　　By Bryan Lynn

　　11 January 2024

　　The government of Papua New Guinea declared a state of emergency on Thursday after at least 16 people were killed in rioting.

　　After declaring the emergency, Prime Minister James Marape told a news conference that the government would take steps to prevent further "lawlessness."

　　Speaking directly to the people of the South Pacific country, Marape said, "This is your country as much as it's my country. Breaking the law does not achieve certain outcomes."

　　The unrest began Wednesday in the capital, Port Moresby, after hundreds of police officers, soldiers and other government workers walked off their jobs. The workers had discovered an unexpected pay cut. Government officials later said the reduction was a mistake — calling it a glitch. They said it would be fixed.

　　Australian state broadcaster ABC reported that at least 16 people were killed in the unrest. Rioting in Port Moresby killed nine people, while seven were reported dead in the northern city of Lae.

　　Local video showed thousands of people in the streets of Port Moresby, Reuters news agency reported. Many carried what appeared to be looted goods as black smoke rose over the city.

　　The French news agency AFP reported at least 25 people were treated with gunshot wounds at a hospital in the capital. In addition, at least six people were treated for knife injuries, AFP said.

　　Marape told reporters there was evidence that "organized rioting" had taken place. He promised the government would "secure democracy" and the "rule of law." He said about 1,000 military troops were standing by to be deployed to areas experiencing further unrest.

　　Reuters reported that violence had eased in the capital Thursday. Many stores, banks and other businesses were closed as owners sought to repair property damage.

　　Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his government was watching the situation but had not received any requests for help. "We continue to urge calm at this difficult time," he told reporters. Australia has in the past supported policing efforts in Papua and the two nations recently signed a security agreement.

　　Papua New Guinea is home to 10 million people and about 800 languages. Farming is an important industry, but the country also holds rich resources including gold and copper.

　　Tensions in the country have been rising along with unemployment and living costs. This has led to an increase in violent crime over the past year. Marape has said improving the security situation will help bring in more foreign investment.

　　I'm Bryan Lynn.

　　The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse reported on this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the reports for VOA Learning English.

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　　作者：Bryan Lynn

　　日期：2024年1月11日

　　周四，巴布亚新几内亚政府在至少16人在骚乱中被杀后宣布进入紧急状态。

　　在宣布紧急状态后，总理詹姆斯·马拉佩在新闻发布会上表示，政府将采取措施防止进一步的“无法无天”。

　　马拉佩直接对南太平洋国家的人民说：“这个国家既是你们的，也是我的。违法行为并不能达到某些结果。”

　　骚乱始于周三，在首都莫尔兹比港，数百名警察、士兵和其他政府工作人员罢工。工人们发现了意想不到的工资削减。政府官员后来说这次减薪是个错误——称之为故障。他们说这个问题将得到解决。

　　澳大利亚国家广播公司ABC报道，至少16人在骚乱中被杀。莫尔兹比港的骚乱导致9人死亡，而在北部城市莱城有7人被报告死亡。

　　路透社报道，当地视频显示莫尔兹比港的街头有数千人，许多人手里拿着看起来像是抢劫来的物品，黑烟在城市上空升腾。

　　法新社报道，首都一家医院至少有25人因枪伤接受治疗。此外，法新社说，至少有6人因刀伤接受治疗。

　　马拉佩告诉记者，有证据表明发生了“有组织的骚乱”。他承诺政府将“保护民主”和“法治”。他说，大约有1000名军队准备待命，以部署到进一步骚乱的地区。

　　路透社报道，周四首都的暴力已经缓和。许多商店、银行和其他企业因业主寻求修复财产损失而关闭。

　　澳大利亚总理安东尼·阿尔巴内塞说，他的政府正在关注这个情况，但还没有收到任何求助请求。他对记者说：“在这个困难时期，我们继续呼吁保持冷静。”澳大利亚过去曾支持在巴布亚的警务工作，两国最近签署了一项安全协议。

　　巴布亚新几内亚有1000万人口和大约800种语言。农业是一个重要的产业，但该国也拥有丰富的资源，包括黄金和铜。

　　随着失业和生活成本的上升，该国的紧张局势也在上升。这导致过去一年暴力犯罪的增加。马拉佩表示，改善安全状况将有助于吸引更多的外国投资。

　　我是布莱恩·林恩。

　　美联社、路透社和法新社报道了这个故事。布莱恩·林恩为VOA学习英语改编了这些报道。

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　　本故事中的词汇

　　achieve – v. 通过努力工作成功做成某事

　　loot – v. 在战争或暴力期间从商店或家中偷窃物品