KINGSTON, Jamaica — The People’s National Party (PNP) has expressed concern about reports that workers at Windalco have received only a part of their salaries this week.

This, the party said in a press release, is due to the existing “cash crunch” facing the international bauxite company.

Opposition Spokesman on Mining and Energy Phillip Paulwell said he expressed concerns last month about the fate of the 600 full-time and more than 400 part-time workers employed at the Ewarton, St Catherine plant owned by Russian bauxite company, UC Rusal against the background of sanctions that have been imposed on the company by the United States.

Paulwell is now noting that despite an extension to the time frame before the US sanctions take effect, the financial position of the company has deteriorated to the extent where workers are not able to receive full salaries.

“While one can empathise with the position of the company, the Government of Jamaica must take immediate steps to mitigate the worsening effects of the sanctions on the viability of the operations of Windalco and safeguard the jobs and livelihood of the more than 1,000 workers there,” Paulwell said in a statement.

He said that while he welcomed the separate meetings he has had with the management of the company and with Minister of Mining and Energy Robert Montague, the current situation has reached crisis proportions and requires urgent action.

The opposition spokesman said he remained available to engage with both the company’s management and the Government to explore possible solutions for the local operations in the interest of the workers and for the continuing economic benefit of Jamaica.

UC Rusal was among 12 Russian companies and their principals who were in April named to be sanctioned by the US Government over what the US authorities considered Russia’s “malign activities around the globe.” Individuals, companies and governments around the world who do business with UC Rusal also face the risk of sanctions by the US.

UC Rusal which owns 93 per cent of Windalco and which operates the Ewarton Works as well as the Kirkvine Alumina Refinery in Manchester, and up to two years ago, owned the Alpart refinery in St Elizabeth, is the world second largest alumina producer. UC Rusal began operations in Jamaica’s bauxite and alumina sector in 2007. Closed in 2009, the Ewarton operation was reopened in 2010 while Kirkvine remains closed.