The Mineworkers Union of Zambia (MUZ) has signed a collective agreement that will see salaries of its members working for Pridegems Mines Ltd increased by K500 in 2022 and another K500 in 2023.
Pridegems Mines Ltd, a Grizzly Mining Ltd (GML) subsidiary, is also enhancing existent allowances under the agreement.
MUZ has since noted that negotiations were not easy because the expectations from workers were huge considering the high cost of living prevailing in the country.
MUZ President Joseph Chewe noted that besides the salary increase, his members at Pridegems Mines will now also enjoy improved transport allowance, housing allowance, better health scheme among several other items that were part of the agreement.
“As MUZ we are proud that this has come to pass. As we sign this agreement we urge all the employees to familiarize with the contents of the agreement. We would like to wish Pridegems Mines Ltd well in their operations and may we reiterate that industrial harmony is our top priority and cardinal so that we can promote productivity,” Chewe said.
Pridegems Mines General Manager, Barbra Kafwilo expected that the margin of increase would add value to employees standards of living and motivate them to work extra hard.
While management would have loved to implement a higher pay rise, a balance had to be observed for the company to remain operational and relevant to all stakeholders.
She emphasized that human resource was the most important resource in her organization; and hence it was just for both parties to reach agreement so that they focus on the core business, which is mining.
“To our various stakeholders , customers, suppliers, the unions and the Government of the Republic of Zambia led by President Hakainde Hichilema, we intend to continue to earn your confidence by not only being responsive to the needs of our employees but also to continue to partner with communities in which we operate.”
The company would partner with communities through its robust corporate social responsibility programmes aimed at alleviating poverty, unemployment, health related issues and poor living standard among the local people.
Pridegems would further ensure timely payment of various taxes through the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) and sustain payments to all suppliers, Kafwilo assured.
She appealed to union leaders at both branch and national level to continue partnering with management in promoting good industrial relations which had been the company’s cornerstone of the successes recorded over the years.
