Rayon Dyer, Gleaner Writer BLACK RIVER: THE TWO main bauxite giants in Jamaica Windalco and Alpart have established a $62 million aid recovery fund for employees whose homes were damage by Hurricane Ivan.
In making the announcement recently, general manager of Windalco, Michael Collins, said that the contribution "is in recognition of the high esteem in which the shareholders hold our employees and is an expression of the deep concern we share with our workers."
According to Darrel Harriman, general manager of Alpart, "The management of the company is very concerned about its employees as much as we are committed to the people of the communities in our operating area."
The community assistance will see both companies placing a great deal of effort on restoring the agricultural capacity of the parish.
Windalco and Alpart, in
addition to this commitment, have been in the forefront of the recovery work immediately
following the hurricane and have been working closely with the parish relief agencies to assist the victims in whichever way possible.
JOINT VENTURE
The efforts of both companies will be inclusive of the employees in St. Elizabeth (Alpart), Manchester (Windalco Kirkvine and Alpart venture), St. Catherine (Windalco Ewarton and Port Esquivel) and St. Ann (Windalco Schwalleneburgh Mines and Moneague).
Alpart is a joint venture between Glencore with 65 per cent ownership and Hydro Aluminum with 35 per cent. Windalco is also a joint venture between Glencore, with 93 per cent, and the Government of Jamaica, seven per cent.
