More job cuts at ALPART

Alumina Partners of Jamaica (ALPART) is to cut 250 more jobs following a reduction in production volume starting tomorrow.



The bauxite company says a further assessment of the total workforce is to be conducted at a later date.



The latest job cuts follow the 120 in September last year which included all categories of workers.



This time the company says only temporary workers will be affected.



Alpart says it plans to reduce its production volume by 50 percent from 1,650,000 tonnes starting tomorrow hence the need to reduce the workforce.



Managing Director Alberto Fabrini says the economic situation has forced the company to take immediate action.



The company says it experienced a drastic decline in prices in 2008 and the global demand for alumina and aluminium has shown little or no sign for improvement in the short term.



Alpart has already introduced several measures to further reduce costs, improve efficiencies and maintain the operations through the difficult period facing the company, he added.



The company’s management has been in talks with its employees, the unions and the government regarding the market situation.



National Workers Union President, Vincent Morrison says the union will be having further talks with the company’s management on the issue.



Its focus will be on running the operations efficiently and safely at the new production levels, although further capacity adjustments cannot be ruled out.



Alpart is 65 percent indirectly owned by UC RUSAL of Russia and 35 percent by Hydro Aluminium of Norway.