Freeport workers end strike<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): After being on strike since Aug. 10 to demand a
\npay increase and protest alleged discrimination against local
\nstaff, PT Freeport Indonesia employees in Irian Jaya agreed on
\nFriday to return to work.<\/p>\n
Company spokesperson Yuli Ismartono said in a statement
\nyesterday that the strike ended \"without incident\" but did not
\nspecify the agreement between the workers and the company.<\/p>\n
\"The wildcat strikers agreed to return to their workplace
\nwithout incident following successful deliberations with the
\ngovernment of Indonesia and company authorities. The mill and
\nmine facilities began resumption this (Friday) evening,\" she
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The labor strike involving about 5,000 local employees hit PT
\nFreeport's Grassberg complex. The industrial action forced the
\ncompany to suspend its mining and milling operations as safety
\nmeasures. However, the loading and shipping of concentrate at the
\nport facility continued, Yuli said.<\/p>\n
Beside striking for a pay hike, the strikers demanded that the
\ncompany eliminate alleged corruption, collusion and nepotism
\nwithin the firm; reinstate employees fired for their labor
\nactivism and reintroduce a regulation on annual leave.<\/p>\n
They also protested at what they saw as discrimination against
\nlocal employees which they claim is evident in the salary scale
\nby which locals are paid less than foreign employees of the same
\nseniority. \"The management of Freeport Indonesia will continue
\nits practice of reviewing its package of wages and benefits to
\nensure that it remains competitive with other companies,\" Yuli
\nsaid. (pan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/freeport-workers-end-strike-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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