SWAKOPMUND – Uranium mining giant, Swakop Uranium, the Metal and Allied Workers Union (Manwu) and contractors constructing the mine signed a substantive agreement to the benefit of all three parties for the remainder of the mine’s construction period.
Swakop Uranium is constructing and developing a N$20 billion high grade uranium mine, called the Husab mine, near Swakopmund.
The agreement was described as the first Project Labour Agreement (PLA) signed in Namibia and allows Swakop Uranium to get involved in labour matters during the construction phase of the mine.
The agreement will see all Manwu members working on Swakop Uranium’s Husab project receiving an increase effective from 1 September until 31 December 2015.
Although the rates and figures were not disclosed during the signing ceremony, the parties indicated that a fair negotiated settlement was reached on hourly pay rates for the contracting company’s employees, which took all macro and micro economic factors into account.
Swakop Uranium’s Vice-President for Human Resources and Business Support, Percy McCallum, said the agreement and negotiations with employee representatives and Manwu were a clear testimony of the smart partnership between the parties.
“This milestone is important to all parties as it ensures industrial peace and commitment from Manwu and contractors to build the Husab project on time thus ensuring completion of Namibia’s most significant project,” he said.
He added that Manwu also committed to, and will support the contractors in improving productivity initiatives and encouraging Manwu members to refrain from being absent from work without permission or guilty of poor timekeeping.
The parties have also agreed to investigate and propose an HIV/AIDS programme to Swakop Uranium and Manwu. This will be done in collaboration with the Namibia Business Coalition on Aids.
The parties furthermore agreed to expand the current Safety Incentive Bonus Scheme in that a taxable monthly amount will be paid to all those employees within the recognized bargaining unit, subject to an employee’s monthly attendance rate and safety targets as determined by Swakop Uranium being met.
Also speaking at the same occasion Justina Jonas from Manwu said that through the signing of the agreement all parties undertook to continue building their working relationship in line with the terms and conditions as set out in the agreement as well as the Namibian Labour Act.