NamGem Signs Pay Deal With Mineworkers' Union
June 06, 04
NamGem Diamond Manufacturing, the Namibian polishing plant at Okahandja, and the Mineworkers' Union of Namibia (MUN) said they have signed an agreement giving an eight percent across-the-board salary increase to workers at the diamond cutting and polishing plant.
The rise, which is backdated to January, affects 110 full-time staff and NamGem trainees who polish diamonds for the jewelry market.
Namdeb spokesperson Ailly Hangula-Paulino said talks had centered on salaries, but also included changes to benefits, such as housing and transport.
NamGem diamond polishers earn a basic salary plus a commission on each polished stone, while trainees only receive an allowance and a commission.
MUN acting Secretary General Joseph Hengari said the deal was regarded as a benchmark for good industrial relations between management and employees.
The agreement followed a strike by around 70 staff at the factory in March in protest at restructuring plans introduced by Lazare Kaplan.
Lazare Kaplan took control of the factory in January as part of a strategic cooperation agreement. The plant is owned by Namdeb, which is in turn owned by De Beers and the government of Namibia.
LKI was brought in to provide marketing and technical manufacturing assistance to NamGem. LKI also purchases rough diamonds and supervise the manufacturing of those stones it deemed suitable to cut and polish.