Changes in the salaries of mining engineers as they obtain managerial and OHS specialist positions in Turkey: By what criteria can salaries be increased?

Abstract

The duty of the permanent supervisors, each of whom is a mining engineer, is to ensure that the operational activities are conducted efficiently in line with the production plan in the mining enterprises. In addition, ensuring that businesses operate in compliance with OHS is also the supervisors' responsibility. In the event of a mining occupational accident in a mining operation, the enterprise in question encounters large costs. These costs can even lead to the closure or bankruptcy of the operation. Supervisors have a great function in regards to averting the occurrence of these kinds of situations. Considering that supervisors undertake different duties such as management and OHS expertise in mining enterprises in Turkey, it is expected that supervisors will be paid adequately. The supervisors undertaking all these duties make great contributions to companies by helping to make their mining operations suitable for productivity and OHS. In this study, the extent to which the job, working experience, and gender differences of the supervisors in Turkey change their salaries, and the change in their salaries as they obtain managerially and OHS specialist positions were analyzed. In addition, it was determined whether the salaries of the supervisors changed according to the mineral groups and open pit/underground operation methods. Considering the results of this analysis and the general life indexes of the supervisors in the cities they work, the relationship between their salaries and welfare levels was demonstrated. Supervisor salaries are compared with workers' minimum wages and the poverty line. It was tried to find answers to the questions of what kind of increases can be made in their salaries considering the mining operating conditions/economy rather than the reasons for their low wages in their countries. In view of the duties, authorities, and responsibilities of the supervisors in their operations and their role in reducing operating costs, suggestions were made to increase their salaries. Considering the share of supervisors in mining operating costs, choosing persuasive methods for both the government and operations is required. In this direction, a salary increase can be provided to the supervisors by giving a premium over the operating profits or pit sale prices, or a premium can be given to the supervisors if they spend a certain number of days without an occupational accident or stopping the mine.