REMOVING THE Arawak Cement Plant would cost Barbados much more foreign exchange in the long run.

That is the opinion of general secretary of the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW), Dennis Clarke, who criticised the suggestion made by construction magnate Sir Charles "COW" Williams to close the St Lucy-based company and instead build an ultra-modern cruise ship terminal at the site.

Sir Charles was speaking recently during an interview on Voice Of Barbados' call-in programme Down To Brass Tacks.

Adding that he expected to be criticised, he then said it would be the perfect way to develop nearby Speightstown as a foreign exchange earner within the tourism industry.

However, Clarke disagreed, saying Arawak served a greater economic purpose to Barbados through its exports to the Eastern Caribbean.

"The NUPW is not in favour of Sir Charles' statements. It is all good to say 'close the cement plant' as we know places like Taiwan and South America produce cement cheaper but if you see their labour costs, you would run and hide," he said.

The trade unionist was speaking to the DAILY NATION recently after attending the National Housing Corporation's 35th anniversary church service at All Souls Anglican Church.

Clarke said workers in those places could not even afford a "common pair of sneakers" so one had to not only look at price but the foreign exchange possibilities.

Other factors involved

While admitting the cost of building a house was high, he said there were many other factors involved, such as paying for a quantity surveyor and an architect, so it was no good to concentrate on cement when the cost of labour was not going down.

"What he is saying looks good on paper but you have to look at the wider picture," he said.

Clarke's comments follow additional criticism from Dr Rollin Bertrand, chief executive officer of the Trinidadian-based TCL Group of Companies, which includes Arawak.

The day after Sir Charles spoke, Bertrand said the plant had a major role to play in producing cement not only for Barbados, but also for a number of members of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States. (CA)