Kazakhmys employees demand salary doubling, company proposes inflation-based raiseEmployees of Kazakhmys, Kazakhstan's largest copper producer, have demanded a twofold increase in wages. In response, the company proposed a salary adjustment indexed to the inflation rate."On December 17, 2024, employees from the South Zhezkazgan and Zhylandy mines, part of the Zhezkazgantsvetmet division of Kazakhmys Corporation LLP, collectively voiced their demands. Workers from the third shift at the South Zhezkazgan mine specifically requested a doubling of their wages. The company’s CEO and union representatives met with the workers to address their concerns," the statement read.Currently, the minimum salary at Zhezkazgantsvetmet is 363,000 tenge (for janitorial positions), while the median salary is 650,000 tenge—significantly higher than the regional median of 404,100 tenge and nearly double the national median of 285,700 tenge."Kazakhmys previously announced plans to increase wages by 8.5% starting in January 2025, reflecting the inflation rate for 2024. This adjustment will raise the company’s average salary to 822,000 tenge, up from 730,400 tenge in 2024. Salaries for underground workers will also increase to 1,303,000 tenge, compared to 1,202,000 tenge in 2024," according to the statement.Since 2020, Kazakhmys has implemented annual wage increases, resulting in a 151% rise in average salaries—from 326,200 tenge in 2020 to projected figures for 2025. However, the company highlighted that further sharp wage hikes would exacerbate disparities, with the average salary at Kazakhmys already exceeding the Ulytau regional average (515,500 tenge) by 59% and the national average (390,328 tenge) by 110%."A substantial further increase in wages would widen the gap with regional and industry averages, reducing competitiveness and potentially forcing the closure of some of the company’s mines," the company warned.Kazakhmys is a key player in Kazakhstan's copper industry, operating 10 mines, five processing plants, two smelters, and two coal mines. (ICE ALMATY)

Fonte notizia: INTERFAX