By Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News|
Following months of complaints about poor working conditions and alleged exploitation, workers at Aurora Gold Mines Incorporated (AGM) have secured significant wage increases after signing a two-year Collective Labour Agreement (CLA) with the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE).
The agreement, which runs from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2026, guarantees a 10 percent wage increase in 2025, followed by an 8 percent increase in 2026, benefiting hundreds of miners employed at the Region Seven operation.
The CLA follows prolonged negotiations, triggered by worker dissatisfaction, including strikes, as employees raised concerns about working conditions and compensation at Aurora Gold Mines Incorporated.
The Ministry of Labour and Manpower Planning formally welcomed the agreement, describing it as a constructive resolution to a challenging industrial dispute.
Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning, Keoma Griffith, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, emphasizing the importance of maturity, dialogue, and good faith throughout the bargaining process. He described the agreement as a positive step forward for Guyanese workers and credited the collaborative approach adopted by both parties for bringing the matter to a close.
Commenting on the development, We Invest In Nationhood (WIN) Executive Member Mark Goring offered cautious approval. While noting that some workers—particularly the approximately 160 employees who received early adjustments—may have hoped for even larger gains, Goring acknowledged the significance of the increases and the relief workers felt after months of uncertainty.
The newly signed CLA is being viewed as a pivotal moment for labour relations within Guyana’s mining sector. Beyond the immediate wage benefits, the agreement establishes a framework intended to promote stability, fairness, and more constructive engagement between employers and workers over the next two years.
Observers say the agreement also sets an important precedent for future labour negotiations, signalling a renewed commitment to addressing workers’ concerns through dialogue rather than prolonged industrial conflict.
