CONTRACT WORKERS employed on the US$115 million expansion project at the Jamalco alumina plant in Halse Hall, Clarendon, are expected to return to work today, after they went on strike yesterday, protesting against alleged racial abuse by supervisors.
Public relations and communication manager at Jamalco, Blossom Laidlaw, confirmed yesterday that the workers have agreed to resume work today, after a meeting between their representatives and a management team from KIER, a British construction firm, and Commercial Construction Company (CCC), the companies contracted by Jamalco to carry out the expansion work.
The Gleaner understands that the latest strike action taken by workers contracted to KIER/CCC, stemmed from long-standing grouses workers had concerning alleged cases of racial overtones used by supervisors on the work site. The workers charged that they are continuously being disrespected by foreign supervisors.
When The Gleaner contacted David Myers, managing director of CCC, by his cellular phone, he said that he was unable to make a comment as he was off the island and not aware of the details. Efforts to get a comment from other officials at the construction company also failed.
The more than 200 workers are also calling for improvements in wages and fringe benefits under the terms of their contract.
In February, workers staged a two-day strike to protest against a cut in their wages, provision of protective equipment and better worker-management relationship amidst allegations of racial overtures being used by company supervisors.
