In a landmark agreement between Sol Guyana Inc and the General Workers’ Union (GWU), unionised minimum wage workers are set to receive an increase from $130,000 to $160,826 for 2024 which demonstrates a 23.7 per cent increase.
Apart from the increase, workers will also receive other benefits. This agreement was inked on Thursday in the presence of Senior Labour Officer Michelle Baburam at her Brickdam, Georgetown office.
It was noted that with the new contract, workers will benefit from a 23 per cent increase in salaries for 2024 and a further five per cent from January 1, 2025, taking their gross salary to $168,867 per month.
General Manager of Sol Guyana Inc, Earl Carribon and another senior staff signed on behalf of the company
Additionally, the new rate for breakfast allowances now stands at $1500 while lunch and dinner allowances are now $1700. This will also be in effect for 2024 and 2025. Further, each employee will receive a laundry allowance of $4000 for 2024. The company’s bursary award is now pegged at $60,000 per year.
Following the signing of the agreement, GWU President Norris Witter, who was among the signatories, said that cordial and respectful bilateral meetings between the union and the company commenced in February and concluded in April.
As such, he commended the management of Sol Guyana Inc for its commitment to improving the working conditions of its workers while noting that only after five meetings, a decision was made.
President of the General Workers’ Union (GWU), Norris Witter and another representative signed on behalf of the union
According to the GWU President, embedded in the agreement are landmark achievements which can be altered in 2025 should the cost of living or inflation rate further increase.
Witter said the increases demonstrate not only the effort of the union in securing reasonable salaries and benefits for the workers, but also the company’s commitment to the development and well-being of its human resources.
“In addition to yearly incentives that are paid once qualified, Sol is the only company I’m aware of that the employees are paid three days’ pay were they to work on a statutory holiday. Sol management has proved to be a very good partner for the union to work with,” the GWU President said.
Senior Labour Officer Michelle Baburam at the signing on Thursday
On the other hand, General Manager of Sol Guyana Inc, Earl Carribon, who signed the agreement on behalf of his company, spoke highly of the negotiating teams and the smooth process that resulted in an early conclusion of the negotiation and a successful agreement.
“This collective agreement is indeed a good outcome. I think that we have been able to successfully land at a position where our union workers will be better off based on this agreement.”
In brief remarks, Senior Labour Officer Michelle Babarum applauded the two sides for concluding a very successful agreement within the shortest period. She underscored to the importance of human resources to the company, and by extension the country.
Meanwhile, while the agreement covers unionised workers within the company, the non-unionised workers will also benefit from a 10 per cent increase in salaries for 2025 and an additional 5 per cent in 2025.
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