Cabinet yet to approve sale of Air Jamaica
Tuesday, 18 August 2009

RJR News understands that Cabinet is yet to sign off on the sale of Air Jamaica.

A Government insider says Cabinet has been deliberating on recommendations for the divestment of the cash strapped airline but no decision has been made to hand over the entity to new owners.

Late last month Cabinet received a report from the committee which is overseeing the divestment process.

In June, Prime Minister Bruce Golding said negotiations led by the Air Jamaica privatisation team were well advanced and a decision would be made soon.

The divestment team has reportedly selected a successful bidder from two international entities which made purchase offers.

The short-listed bidders are said to be Caribbean Airlines and low budget carrier Spirit Airlines.

And Air Jamaica workers continue to await word on the fate of their jobs with the impending sale of the airline.

However, one of their unions says the workers are not in favour of positions being made redundant.

According to the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU) the employees want the airline to maintain its existing operations and work force.

"It is not that Air Jamaica workers are looking to be made redundant what we are looking for is to have a settlement of the whole divestment. They understand the position the government has however they want to ensure that the airline settles and continues to operate and their jobs are protected," Mr. Gayle said.

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