Workers strike worsens at KPC mining site<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): At least 150 protesting workers have taken
\ncontrol of vital mining facilities at PT Kaltim Prima Coal's mine
\nin Sanggata regency, East Kalimantan.<\/p>\n
The KPC representative in Jakarta, Bambang Susanto, said the
\nworkers arrived and took control of several important production
\nfacilities at the site after the police expelled their
\ncolleagues, who had occupied the company's main mining area.<\/p>\n
\"The workers were first expelled from the site, but they later
\nreturned with their friends who outnumbered the police officers,\"
\nBambang told The Jakarta Post by phone.<\/p>\n
He said KPC, a subsidiary of Australian mining giant Rio
\nTinto, was still unable to resume operation, as the workers had
\noccupied one of the company's processing sites and a fuel station
\nsince June 15.<\/p>\n
Bambang said the company was losing Rp 3 billion (US$348,837)
\neach day because of the strike.<\/p>\n
The strike started on June 14, with workers demanding a 15
\npercent salary increase, among other things.<\/p>\n
Bambang said that on the first day all 150 workers staged a
\nprotest at the mining site, but only a handful remained until the
\npolice arrived.<\/p>\n
He said the police took the initiative to drive out the
\nworkers from the mining site, after the Regional Committee for
\nthe Settlement of Labor Disputes (P4D) ruled that the strike was
\nillegal.<\/p>\n
\"But about one or two hours later the workers were back with
\ntheir friends and forced the police to retreat,\" Bambang said.<\/p>\n
He could not tell whether a second attempt by the police would
\nfollow.<\/p>\n
He said local residents had expressed support for the company,
\nbut he voiced concern that locals could take matters into their
\nown hands.<\/p>\n
\"They've made a statement about forcing the workers out of the
\nsite,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, he said if the company failed to meet clients'
\ndemand for coal, it could lose its credibility.<\/p>\n
He said KPC was considering declaring a force majeure and
\nwithdrawing from the operation if the strike continued.<\/p>\n
Coal deposits at the site could be mined for another 20 years.<\/p>\n
\"This is a matter of principal, if we once yield to the
\nworkers' demands there is no guarantee that they won't seek
\nanother raise,\" he said.(bkm)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/workers-strike-worsens-at-kpc-mining-site-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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