Kagem and mine workers unions reach 2024/2025 collective agreement
Kagem Mining Limited (Kagem), the Mine Workers Union of Zambia (MUZ) and the National Union of Miners & Allied Workers (NUMAW) that represent Kagem’s unionised employees are pleased to confirm that they have reached a collective agreement on employee pay increases for 2024 and 2025.
Based on the agreement, unionised employees will receive a 10% increment in pay for 2024 and a further 10% in 2025.
Additionally, the agreement confirms an increase on the education allowance for employees from the current ZMW 1,500 to ZMW 2,000.
Following successful negotiations between the emerald mine’s management team represented by Kagem’s Head of Human Resources, Dr Wesley Chishimba, the General Secretary of the Mine Workers Union of Zambia (MUZ), George Mumba and the President of the National Union of Miners & Allied Workers (NUMAW), Saul Simujika this agreement will start in January 2024.
The General Secretary of the Mine Workers Union of Zambia (MUZ), George Mumba said: “We want to thank Kagem, and the unions for ‘walking the talk’ because you have fulfilled the obligations of the packages agreement before it expired.
It is gratifying to see that within the desired period we were able to conclude the negotiation.”
This pay increase agreement follows that of 2022, when the mine agreed to enhance the company pension contribution from 20% to 25% of basic pay, bringing the effective salary increase at the time to 15% for 2022 and 2023.
The company delivered on these promises.
Kagem General Manager Adriaan Prinsloo said: “We are delighted to have reached a mutually acceptable agreement with the unions and offer a salary increase that rightfully recognises the productivity and teamwork of our employees, and their part in helping to maintain the mine’s success.”
“Kagem is committed to looking after its employees and providing a positive local impact, ensuring that Zambian emeralds benefit the people of Zambia,” he added.
Kagem aims to provide a positive impact from its operations in Zambia. Believed to be the world’s single largest producing emerald mine, Kagem is 75% owned by Gemfields and 25% by the Zambian Government’s Industrial Development Corporation (IDC).
