NAMIBIA Custom Smelters and the Mineworkers Union of Namibia have signed on the dotted line agreeing to wage and other benefit agreements before the end of last year.

The agreement sees the union and smelter company able to reach conclusive decision-making which would benefit both parties.

"This exercise shows our company's intent to improve the earnings of our employees so as to be in line with market trends," said Sam Januarie, who is the human resources manager at the NCS. "NCS strives to pay competitive salaries," he said.

Employees in the bargaining unit were moved up to the highest salary level of their grades and members will also have their arduous and experience allowance included in their basic salaries.

The thirteenth cheque will take effect from the beginning of this year and is available when an employee takes their annual leave. This will replace the leave bonus.

The regrading of some positions, a once-off upward adjustment in basic salaries, provident and medical aid funds and housing allowances were the main discussions which saw great cooperation between the two negotiating parties. Payment of production bonuses will be changed to a different format which will be equal for all eligible employees of the smelter company.

"The spirit of the interaction between management and the union was very positive which resulted in the speedy implementation of the salary adjustment before year's end," Januarie said.