Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) and the Ok Tedi Mining & Allied Workers Union (OTAWU) signed a new Industrial Agreement on the 19th of May allowing for the implementation of additional benefits that will address the long-term welfare of OTML employees and their families.
The new 5 Year Industrial Agreement will be implemented from 1st January 2023 and will be in effect until the end of 2027. The previous Industrial Agreement signed in 2019 was valid for three years.
The new Agreement was signed following two-days of consultations between OTML’s Management Team and the OTMAWU Executives. Acting President of the OTMAWU, Kevin Onde, thanked the OTML Management team for honouring the MoU signed on 9th December 2021 for extending the terms of the 2019 Industrial Agreement and paving the way for the new agreement.
“The wishes of the Union members have been heard and will soon be materialised in the coming months. The consultation has ended on a high note with a gain for all employees. It is a milestone achievement in itself for the company and the employees where maturity was displayed in the last few days, and the results are now tangible,” said Mr Onde.
OTML Managing Director & CEO, Musje Werror, said it was a historic achievement, one that would not be possible without the positive culture in OTML.
“Over the last 3 years we started to build on the trust and respect between management and the workforce and to strengthen our culture which is demonstrated by the successful discussions and the signing of the Industrial Agreement in the same week.”
Mr Werror also acknowledged the efforts of the workforce over the last two years, which had been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the significant challenges brought on by the pandemic the Company was able to generate PGK 1 billion in dividends for its shareholders over this period.
“I look forward to the continuous support from the workforce to realise our Vision 2025 and make Ok Tedi the best mining company in PNG,” added Mr Werror.
The 2023 Industrial Agreement was co-signed by Acting Manager Industrial Relations, Mr Wala Iga, and witnessed by Industrial Registrar, Ms Helen Saleu, in Port Moresby.
Ms Saleu commended the Ok Tedi Union citing the recent negotiations and the signing was a benchmark achievement for all unions and their management teams in the industry and country.
She said, “The Ok Tedi Union and Management should be used as role models for other union negotiations and industrial agreement discussions in the future. The trust and respect shared by the OTML union and management has led to this successful and mature negotiation and the signing showcases a genuine relationship bond with the employees and the management aligned with achieving a win-win outcome for its employees and the Company.”