SOL Guyana Inc and the Guyana General Workers’ Union (GWU) have signed a two-year Collective Labour Agreement (CLA) paving the way for the company’s workers to receive a 10% salary increase for 2024, and an additional increase of 5% in 2025. 

The signing took place at the Ministry of Labour. 

President of the GWU, Norris Witter said in addition to those increases, the company’s minimum wage is now set at $160,826. 

“We are pleased to state that with the outcome of these negotiation, the new minimum wage of the employees at SOL will now be pegged at $160,826, that is for the year 2024. The new rates of meal allowances, for breakfast $1,500; for lunch $1,700 and for dinner $1,700. The new rates for laundry allowances would be $4,000, that is for 2024. The new bursary awards would be $60,000,” Witter detailed. 

He said in addition to yearly incentives, the company will pay its employees three days paid leave, once they work on a statutory holiday.  

The GWU President said the company, in approaching the Union, displayed “exemplary attitude” that ought to be commended.

“From the onset, there was a high degree of, not only maturity but respect for both parties. Where ever respect is absent, there is chaos, there is confusion and there is conflict. Because of the absence of disrespect there was orderliness throughout these negotiations,” Witter said. 

Sol Guyana General Manager, Earl Carribon said the agreement marked the end of fruitful negotiations, which would be to the benefit of the unionized workers operating within SOL. 

“I think this collective agreement is indeed a good outcome; I think we have been able to successfully land at a position where our unionized workers will be better off based on this agreement. So, I am very happy with this outcome today,” Carribon said. 

He said Sol looks forward to the continuation of good relations with the Union going forward. 

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