(de Ware Tijd) PARAMARIBO – Suralco workers are anxious now because parent company Alcoa will cut its worldwide production capacity by 12% in order to bring down costs. Alcoa has announced plans to close a smelter in Tennessee and reduce production capacity at other facilities, which will cut capacity by some 531,000 tons a year. These measures mean a restructuring load of US$ 155 to 165 million in the fourth quarter of 2011, a period the multinational will likely suffer losses. “Alcoa’s announcement has caused unrest, as everyone was concerned about their job”, says union boss Murwin Leeflang. He went to Paranam last weekend to hear from the workers and try to reassure them. He has also requested a meeting with Suralco’s general manager Peter de Wit and sent a letter to the Minister of Labor (ATM) requesting a meeting. Leeflang says he is positive about the meeting, adding that this is not the first time such things have happened and everything has been resolved so far. He does point to the importance of the upcoming meeting saying, “We must protect the Suralco workers’ legal position and stand up for the working class.” Alcoa’s restructuring will inevitably lead to the loss of jobs. “Of course the workers became concerned when they heard this news, and I’ve tried to reassure them and we’ll work on a solution with the company’s management,” Leeflang says. He has managed to allay fears of the workers for the time being and is positive about the upcoming talks with the company’s management.
