The National Workers Union (NWU) is arguing that given the socio-economic environment in and around Spanish Town, St Catherine, Government should make every possible effort to keep the Bernard Lodge sugar factory open.

Vincent Morrison, NWU president and island supervisor, said during a press briefing at NWU's Kingston headquarters on Friday that he was concerned for the more than 700 workers in St Catherine after Government indicated it would close the factory for the remainder of the crop season.

Prime Minister Bruce Golding said Friday that while operations would commence at four of the five state-owned factories, it would not be economically feasible to start up operations at Bernard Lodge for the present crop season.

Not economical

"It is not going to be economically advantageous to operate the Bernard Lodge sugar factory and therefore arrangements are being made for the cane that goes to Bernard Lodge to be routed to other factories," Golding said.

Most of the cane will go to the Monymusk sugar factory in Clarendon.

Golding made the announcement after revealing that the assets of the Sugar Company of Jamaica would remain on the Government's books a while longer after Brazilian outfit, Infinity Bio-Energy, indicated it would not meet Government's January 31 deadline.

Most vulnerable area

"I indicated to the prime minister the area in which Bernard Lodge is located is perhaps the most vulnerable of all the sugar factories in Jamaica - Spanish Town," Morrison said.

He suggested that Government explore the possibility of turning over the responsibility of running the factory to the workers.

"We believe every effort must be made to save Bernard Lodge," Morrison said.

"We are talking to the farmers and we are hoping that perhaps that what could be done, in terms of a short-term solution, is that if the Government has to close its operations, perhaps the farmers and the trade unions may need to look at the entity and perhaps put in some sort of employee shareholdership arrangements," he said.