Negotiations between the Rosebel Goldmines Workers’ Organization (RGWO) and the management of Rosebel Goldmines/Zijin Mining have stalled, spokesperson Romario Holband told Suriname suriname. According to Holband, previous agreements were made with the management, but they are not being honored. The management is pushing for a 3.5 percent wage increase, despite earlier commitments.
“We agreed in the collective labor agreement to discuss other issues as well, but the management refuses to do so. We have taken their situation into account, considering that the new management had to get things in order, like making investments. The company’s salary scales also had to be evaluated to assess expenditures and revenues, but now a year has passed. They can’t tell us a different story now,” said Holband.
Holband emphasized that the company is not facing losses, but instead, there is overproduction, which he believes means the workers should be properly rewarded. “We cannot agree to a ’take it or leave it’ situation.”
According to Holband, Suriname contributes to China’s economic growth, and it is unacceptable that a multinational company does not pay its workers fairly. The 3.5 percent wage increase would amount to only SRD 150 for some workers, which Holband considers unjust. “We are not moving to a strike just yet because we want to consult the mediation board first. We’ve already approached the board, the letter has been submitted, and now we are waiting for an invitation for discussions,” he continued.
The last negotiation between the union and management took place in May of last year. “Our collective labor agreement is for two years, and we negotiate annually on wage scales and wage increases due to the changing economic situation. We also requested an official letter stating they would grant us a three percent wage increase, but that letter never arrived,” added Holband.
The RGWO will hold a press conference today to explain the current situation at Rosebel Goldmines/Zijin Mining.
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