Exactly one month after hundreds of workers of the Aurora Gold Mines company downed their tools and protested for a 10% salary increase, the Ministry of Labour and Manpower Planning has announced that the company at the Union representing the workers-the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE)-have signed a two-year Collective Labour Agreement, which will result in wage increases and expanded benefits for the workers.
Under the Agreement, the workers will receive a 10% across the board salary increase for 2025 and an 8% increase for 2026.
Provisions have also been included to ensure that employees who may have already received increments for this year will receive reconciled adjustments.
The Ministry said the adjustments were settled earlier in January after intensive negotiations, which saw both parties continued working to finalize the full Agreement.
Additionally, night shift workers will see improved earnings with the night shift premium set at $160 per hour in 2025 and $200 per hour in 2026.
“Employees will also receive double overtime pay for work performed on Sundays and holidays. The Agreement introduces enhanced welfare benefits, including increased meal allowances, eight paid sick days per year with compensation for unused days, and company paid transportation for workers traveling to and from the mining site when scheduled flights are canceled,” the Ministry explained.
The Agreement also stipulates that hourly paid workers will benefit from an improved vacation allowance, which has increased from 4% to 6% of the previous year’s gross earnings.
The Agreement further provides for paid severance in cases where workers are medically discharged after all other options have been exhausted.
NAACIE General Secretary, Dawchan Nagasar, described the signing as historic, noting that it is the first comprehensive Collective Labour Agreement concluded between a Guyanese trade union and a gold mining company.
He explained that both parties had to adjust to new management structures and processes during the negotiation period.
Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning, Keoma Griffith, also welcomed the Agreement and described it as timely and aligned with national labour objectives.
He noted the agreement reflects the perseverance of workers, the Union, and the company and is consistent with the labour priorities outlined in Budget 2026.
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