Ramu NiCo finally seals deal with workers’ union

THE Labour Department has recognised and is impressed with the industrial award signed between Ramu NiCo Allied Workers’ Union and Ramu NiCo Management (MCC) Ltd, an official says.
Madang labour representative Peter Neimani, who was the negotiation chairman between the union and Ramu NiCo, said the registrar of the department was impressed with the quality and component of the award and agreements reached by the parties.
“The labour legistrar is happy and will register the award in the national gazette and make it a legal document in the next three years,” he said.
“I represent our department to congratulate all parties in reaching an understanding after six months of intense negotiation, despite the fact that most of the union members are new in the industrial issues.”
Nemane was speaking last Thursday during a gift presentation by union members to Ramu NiCo management at the company headquarters in Madang for reaching an amicable and win-win outcome.
Ramu NiCo vice-president Wang Baowen said the company strived to ensure its employees were looked after and got the right training and up-skilling.
“Ramu NiCo has received many gifts from the landowners, but this gift is better as it demonstrates a good understanding and working relationship between our employees and the management,” he said.
“The company understands the employees’ expectations on pay increase, training and up-skilling.
“We would like to support that, depending on the project success.
“Our training centre at Basamuk is now launched and KBK Mine will be the same.”
Baowen said the project had reached its designed production capacity in 2016. The employers also contributed to this great achievement.
Union treasurer Gene Mangoa thanked Ramu NiCo for reaching an understanding in finalising the industrial award.
“What the union members need is a fair pay rise, proper training and up-skilling,” he said.
The industrial award negotiation which started in July last year was signed in Madang on Jan 5.