Salary increase, expanded benefits for hundreds of workers at Aurora Gold Mines 

Hundreds of Aurora Gold Mine (AGM) Inc. workers are set to benefit from significant wage increases and improved working conditions following the signing of a two-year Collective Labour Agreement with the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE).

The agreement was signed on Wednesday at the Aurora mining site in Region Seven, weeks after workers engaged in strike action over concerns about working conditions and stagnant wages despite an expansion of mining operations. The company and union agreed on wage increases in early January, but spent more time hammering out the full agreement.

On Wednesday, it was revealed that the agreement covers a wide range of financial and welfare provisions aimed at improving the livelihoods of employees at the mining operation. It covers the period January 1, 2025, t0 December 31, 2026.

Among the major gains are an across-the-board wage increase of 10 per cent for 2025 and a further 8 per cent in 2026. Adjustments will be made this year to account for workers who may have already received increases.

Night shift workers will also see higher earnings, with the night shift premium rising to $160 per hour in 2025 and $200 per hour in 2026. A night shift premium is usually extra pay, provided to employees working outside regular business hours. It is paid above the base wage or set hourly amount.

Additionally, employees will now receive double overtime pay for work done on Sundays and holidays.

Provisions have been included to improve benefits for employees travelling in and out of the worksite, including company-paid travel home and back to the mine if scheduled flights are cancelled.

Meal allowances for eligible workers will be increased wnd employees will be entitled to eight paid sick days per year. If those sick days are not used, workers will receive payment. The agreement further provides for paid severance in cases where an employee is medically discharged after all other options have been explored.

Hourly paid workers will also benefit from an improved vacation allowance, which has moved from four percent of the previous year’s gross earnings to six percent.

NAACIE General Secretary Dawchan Nagasar described the signing as historic, noting that it marks the first time a full Collective Labour Agreement has been signed between a trade union and a gold mining company in Guyana.

“When you try to represent workers working for an international company, it’s not something that we normally do in Guyana,” Nagasar said, explaining that both sides had to adjust to different management structures and processes during negotiations.

Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning, Keoma Griffith also welcomed the agreement, calling it crucial for the sector and the workers it supports.

He noted that the deal was the result of lengthy negotiations and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring a balanced environment where both workers and employers can bargain in good faith.

“A lot of workers will receive an increase,” Griffith said, adding that many employees are expected to feel the impact of the agreement in the coming weeks.

AGM General Manager Carl Chen, in brief remarks, said he was pleased with the signing and welcomed the new provisions the agreement puts in place for employees.