NEITA
The termination of any business enterprise that provides employment and income is never an easy undertaking. It is impossible for the headlines and news stories to convey the full picture of the step-by-step considerations and actions that have to be taken, or the trauma and emotions that, most times, accompany the closing-down exercise.
Stakeholder interests have to be carefully balanced, financial and social obligations are intertwined, communication to all parties becomes a key factor, while utmost care needs to be taken to ensure that equipment and facilities are safeguarded if any future reopening is envisioned.
We are seeing an unprecedented wave of declining circumstances and fortunes affecting sugar and bauxite, two industries that operate from substantial bases in rural Jamaica.
Strong links
Over long years, and by virtue of their location, the two entities have developed strong cultural links with their host communities. These links add a sensitive dimension to the process of closure in instances where a plant or factory has become a part of the lifestyle or psychological landscape of communities around their operating areas.
Invariably, the companies have been active participants in or sponsors of village sports, festivals, fund-raisers, PTAs, health fairs, youth clubs, set-ups, senior citizens groups, the JAS, school graduations, funerals, mento music, disputes and reconciliation, concerts, and street dances.
If anyone ever doubted the supportive role that bauxite and sugar have played in community development, the concerns and anxieties being expressed on radio by residents should be sufficient reminders of the mutual dependency and partnerships that have been formed.
History recalls the part played by workers from Alumina Jamaica Ltd. (later Alcan Jamaica) in 1958, who were responsible for clearing the railroad track the night of the Kendal crash while providing doctors, nurses, ambulances, and rendering numerous acts of kindness in rescuing the injured.
Relief efforts from the bauxite industry in the wake of the heavy rains that devastated sections of western Jamaica in 1979 earned a citation from the governor general. In recent years, we saw that effort repeated when Hydro and Glencore, and then Rusal and Hydro, co-owners of Alpart and Windalco, together contributed a combined total of some US$2 million towards hurricane recovery from Ivan and Dean for employees, schools, farmers, senior citizens and community institutions.
Poignant moments
The linkages are such that, when the 45 members of the Alpart community council met with Alpart's managing director Alberto Fabrini and members of the management team the morning after the announcement of Alpart's temporary closure, the monthly meeting started with special prayers offered up for the welfare of employees, the community, Alpart and the nation.
"There will be hardships ahead", says Lurlene MacFarlane from Nain, "but St. Elizabeth people are resilient and we will manage to get by through hard work."
It is that spirit of determination, backed up by a strong rural faith in God's overwhelming love and care, that will help the communities of the operating areas to survive.
Lance Neita is a public relations professional with over 35 years service to the bauxite industry and related communities. Feedback may be sent to lanceneita@hotmail.com or columns@gleanerjm.com.
Lance Neita