After protests, Caltex promises to employ local people
Saturday, October 21 2000 - 04:30 AM WIB
Following continuing protests from local people in Tanah Putih, Rokan Hilir district, Riau, PT Caltex Pacific Indonesia (CPI) has promised to give more employment opportunities to people around its operations in Riau.
Caltex gave its promise at a closed meeting between Caltex executives and officials from the Rokan Hilir administrations in the Riau governor's office in Pekanbaru Thursday night. On hand at the meeting included Rokan Hilir regent, the head of Tanah Putih subdistrict and the head of Rangau village.
The meeting was presided by the governor.
After the meeting, the governor refused to explain results of the meeting. "What's certain is that they (CPI) are prepared to give better employment opportunities to local people."
The governor said that his party had offered the best option for local people that CPI could accommodate. He said he hoped that the option would end protests from local people.
People from Tanah Putih, Rokan Hilir, have been protesting since August 30 against Caltex's operation in their areas, demanding Caltex to employ more local people. (*)