The management of SOL Guyana Incorporated and the General Workers’ Union (GWU) on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) that ensures SOL Guyana staff will receive a significant wage and salary increase and other fringe benefits for 2024 and 2025.
The Ministry of Labour said that according to the agreement, staff will receive a 10 percent wage and salary increase from January to December 31, 2024, and an additional 5 percent from January to December 21, 2025.
It will see an increase in the company’s minimum wage to $160,000 per month for 2024, as well as the meal allowances, which are now set at – $1,500 for breakfast and $1,700 for lunch and dinner with effect from this year.
This agreement was signed in the presence of Senior Labour Officer, Michelle Baburam, at the Ministry of Labour’s boardroom.
President of the GWU, Norris Witter, commended the management of SOL Guyana for respectfully engaging with the union to ensure a fruitful negotiation process.
“From the onset, there was a high degree of maturity and respect shown from both parties. Wherever respect is absent, there is chaos, and confusion and so because of the absence of disrespect, there was orderliness in these negotiations,” he said.
SOL Guyana Incorporated General Manager Earl Carribon shared similar sentiments, noting that SOL Guyana believes in equity and fairness for all, and this process is merely a reflection of such to ensure its staff’s welfare.
“At SOL Guyana, we do not have any differentiation between humanizing and dehumanizing staff and so at the end of the day, we have to ensure that our employees have the best working conditions as they are our most important asset,” Carribon stated.
The Sol Group, a member of the Parkland family, is a supplier of petroleum-based products and energy solutions in the Caribbean, as well as Central and South America.
