Labour Ministry brokers agreements for M&CC staff, Aurora Gold Mines workers

…wages, hours, benefits improved

Following years of unsuccessful negotiations, prompting the Ministry to initiate a formal conciliation process, the Ministry of Labour and Manpower Planning has successfully facilitated the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) constituting a Collective Labour Agreement between the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown (M&CC) and the Guyana Labour Union (GLU).
This development represents a major step forward in strengthening labour relations and improving the welfare of municipal workers.
It was also recorded that differences emerged between the positions of the Council and the Union. The parties subsequently resumed one-on-one negotiations, and within a week, they reached an agreement that benefits the workers. This achievement highlights the value of constructive social dialogue, a principle the Ministry consistently encourages across all sectors.

The Agreement covers the period from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2027, and outlines improved wages, salaries, and conditions of employment for both fixed and unfixed workers of the Council. Key provisions include ensuring that minimum wage levels are no less than those paid within the wider public sector for comparable work and allowing the union to negotiate appropriate rates for its members based on job requirements.
The MOA also formalises a standard forty-hour workweek and clearly defined working hours for municipal staff, including pump operations, sluice attendants, and security personnel.
The signing was conducted by the Mayor and Town Clerk on behalf of the Mayor and councillors of the City of Georgetown and by the General Secretary of the Guyana Labour Union, Carvil Duncan, along with the union’s branch chairman. The Ministry was represented by Mr Basdeo, who oversaw the process and signed on behalf of the Ministry of Labour and Manpower Planning.
The agreement aligns with the Government of Guyana’s Decent Work Country Programme (2025–2030) and reflects national priorities outlined in Budget 2026, which emphasises stronger labour administration, improved working conditions, expanded employment opportunities, and enhanced support for collective bargaining.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to fostering fair, transparent, and mutually respectful labour-management relations. It remains dedicated to promoting agreements that protect workers’ rights while supporting effective and sustainable operations within organisations. The Ministry will continue to provide guidance to both parties in the interpretation and implementation of the Agreement and stands ready to support all stakeholders in maintaining a stable and productive industrial climate.

Gold mines
Meanwhile, the Labour and Manpower Planning Ministry welcomed the signing of a two-year Collective Labour Agreement (CLA) between Aurora Gold Mines (AGM) Inc. and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE), which will result in significant wage increases and expanded benefits for hundreds of workers at the mining operation.
The Agreement covers the period from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2026, and follows extensive negotiations between the company and the Union. Discussions intensified after workers engaged in strike action over stagnant wages and concerns about working conditions at the company’s Region Seven operations. Wage adjustments were settled earlier in January, after which both parties continued working to finalise the full agreement.
Under the CLA, workers will receive a 10 per cent across-the-board wage increase for 2025 and an eight per cent increase for 2026. Provisions have been included to ensure that employees who may have already received increments for this year will receive reconciled adjustments.
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 travelling to and from the mining site when scheduled flights are cancelled. Hourly-paid workers will also benefit from an improved vacation allowance, which has increased from four per cent to six per cent 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.
Labour and Manpower Planning Minister, Keoma Griffith, welcomed the agreement and described it as timely and aligned with national labour objectives. He highlighted that its conclusion reflects the perseverance of workers, the Union, and the company and is consistent with the labour priorities outlined in Budget 2026, which include strengthening collective bargaining, improving working conditions across productive sectors, and expanding institutional support for worker welfare.
Minister Griffith reaffirmed the Government of Guyana’s commitment to safeguarding workers’ rights and ensuring that the mining sector continues to benefit from stable and constructive labour relations.
AGM General Manager Carl Chen also expressed satisfaction with the conclusion of the agreement and welcomed the strengthened provisions for employees.
The Labour and Manpower Planning Ministry remains committed to promoting decent work, advancing orderly negotiation processes, and ensuring that workers benefit meaningfully from the continued growth of Guyana’s economy.