Gold Ridge Mining Limited, GRML, has officially recognized the Solomon Islands National Union of Workers, SINUW, as representing the local employees of the company.

GRML General Manager, Robert Scargill, signed the Recognition Agreement on behalf of the company at GRML headquarters last Friday, with the General Secretary of SINUW, Tony Kagovai, who signed on behalf of SINUW, along with workers' representatives.

SINUW says the signing of the Recognition Agreement shows that GRML now formally recognizes the Solomon Islands National Union of Workers as the sole legal representative of its local employees in matters relating to their industrial and social interests.

Mr Kagovai says SINUW and GRML will start negotiating the actual Terms and Conditions of service of employees as well as the Wage Structure, Rates and Allowances, in a week's time.