Employees of Newmont have expressed dissatisfaction with the 14-hour workdays, which they describe as physically and mentally exhausting. In a conversation with Suriname Herald, they highlighted that the work schedule, especially for night shifts, is highly taxing on their health and well-being.
“It’s not that we don’t want to work, but working 14 hours, especially at night, is too much. It has a significant impact on our health,” said one employee. The so-called “seven triple” shifts, where workers endure seven consecutive night shifts followed by only five days off, are particularly frustrating. After these intense work periods, employees feel drained and overburdened.
The workers also pointed out the lack of support from their union, the Newmont Workers Organization (NWO). “The union sometimes sends messages in a group chat, but we can hardly respond as it feels one-sided. We contribute to the union every month, but we see little action,” said another employee. They also raised concerns about tax deductions on child benefits and the lack of government support.
Additionally, employees noted that the union has been claiming for years that discussions about the work schedules are ongoing, yet little progress appears to have been made. “There’s never been a general meeting where we could voice our concerns,” one worker stated.
Union responds: “We are in discussions”
Joel Panka, chairman of the Newmont Workers Organization, responded to the complaints by stating that it is incorrect for employees to claim that decisions about the work schedule have already been made. “No agreement has been reached regarding the ‘seven triple,’ and we are still in discussions with the company. We are working on a solution that benefits both the employees and the company,” Panka said.
He confirmed that alternative schedules are being discussed, but the company is concerned that adjusting working hours could affect production. Panka also acknowledged that negotiations over work schedules have been ongoing since 2022 and assured that the union remains committed to improvements. “We’ve presented several proposals, but no agreement has been reached yet. Next week, we have another meeting with the company to further address this issue,” the union leader said.
Panka emphasized that the union operates transparently and finds it confusing that media reports suggest decisions have already been made, which is not the case. “Employees have the right to voice their concerns, and we take them seriously. But we also need to handle the facts carefully and not act based on misinformation.”
