Esther Figueroa | How much waiver for bauxite levy for Windalco?

On July 21, The Gleaner published an article entitled “Windalco bauxite levy relief will save jobs - Clarke.” How long will the Government of Jamaica continue to prop up the aluminium industry in Jamaica? Bauxite levy waivers, duty waivers, no taxes, on and on.

Minister of Finance Nigel Clarke defends the Government’s decision to waive the bauxite levy for Windalco (currently owned by the Russian multinational RUSAL) because it will save jobs. But this is the same Windalco/Alcan that through land grabs, bauxite mining, alumina refining, mud lakes, and constant pollution of the Rio Cobre, since the 1950s, has disrupted the economic earnings and viability of farmers, fishers, and countless others.

And this is the same Nigel Clarke who argued that if the injunction against mining in SML 173 was not lifted, the Government would have to impose $6 billion in new taxes partly because of the loss of levy payments while mining was halted, yet it is okay to waive the levy for RUSAL. The injunction against mining in SML 173 had been sought so that there would be no further ruination of the lands and livelihoods of the people of western St Ann while the Supreme Court waited to hear two constitutional cases that lay out the abuses that these rural Jamaicans suffer because of bauxite mining.

FRAGILE

We are constantly told what an economically robust and necessary industry bauxite mining and alumina refining are for Jamaica, yet the industry is so fragile that each company must get concessions or they will fail. In contrast, the people and places in Jamaica sacrificed for bauxite mining and alumina refining receive no mercy and are constantly denigrated and treated with disdain. Because the Appeals Court sided with the Government of Jamaica and the mining companies against the citizens of Jamaica, the last remaining farmlands in western St Ann, because they are within SML 173, are, as we speak, being mined and the communities left to suffer the devastating consequences of displacement; ill health, loss of lands, homes, incomes, heritage; and the stark reality of their stolen futures.

Why are only those who work in the bauxite-alumina industry worthy of having their jobs saved at any cost? When will the Government of Jamaica show even the slightest interest or care for the citizens of Jamaica who don’t work for the aluminium industry and whose farmlands, livelihoods, health, and futures are being destroyed?

- Esther Figueroa, PhD, is a Jamaican film-maker, writer and linguist. Send feedback to mediavagabond@gmail.com or columns@gleanerjm.com