NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The head of the union representing Morton Salt workers on Inagua says employees are still awaiting clear details on the company’s reported sale, noting that they have become accustomed to ownership changes over the years.
Jennifer Brown, Secretary General of the Bahamas Industrial Manufacturers & Allied Workers Union (BIMAWU), told Eyewitness News Business that the union has only been advised of a sale in principle, with little else confirmed.
“I really don’t have much to report, but that’s what we were told,” Brown said. “Right now, we can’t even react because we’re used to the company being sold over the years. The only difference now is they’ll no longer be Morton.”
Brown said her main concern is that the transaction appears to involve only the Morton Bahamas operation. “That is my concern. But like I said, we cannot even react to anything right now because there’s nothing in black and white. All we are told is that they were being sold to the new group,” she added.
She noted that workers were informed that benefits would remain unchanged and that the new owners intended to maintain community involvement. “Out of courtesy, they just let the union and the workers know, but that’s as far as we know,” Brown said.
Her comments came after Lusca Group confirmed that its subsidiary, Grand Bahama Salt Company Ltd, has entered into an agreement to acquire 100 percent of the shares of Morton Bahamas Limited, the operator of the solar salt production facility on Great Inagua and the island’s largest employer.
The facility, the second-largest solar salt operation in North America, has long positioned The Bahamas as a key supplier of high-quality solar salt to international markets. As part of the deal, Lusca Group will also sign a long-term supply agreement with Morton Salt USA, ensuring continuity of production and exports while keeping Morton as an anchor client.
Lusca Group, a privately owned industrial investment holding company with offices in The Bahamas and Europe, said it plans to invest heavily in upgrading the Inagua facility once the transaction closes, with a focus on improving efficiency, increasing capacity, enhancing product quality, and supporting local businesses.
“Salt has been part of Inagua’s identity for generations, and we fully understand the history and importance of this business to the island,” said Richard Muckle, Director of Lusca Group. “By rebranding and investing in the facility, we aim to honour that legacy while creating sustainable value for both our customers and the local community.”
The company added that it is also developing an island-wide growth and resilience programme for Inagua, to be presented to the Government in due course.
