Angry ex-workers threaten to set Vico oil wells ablaze

The angry ex-employees of the sub contractors of oil and gas firm PT Vico Indonesia have threatened to set Vico oil wells in the Muara Badak area in East Kalimantan ablaze following another deadlock in the negotiation round for cash compensation.

The local Suara Kaltim daily said that the threat was made by Rudy Setyanmoko, a representative of the more than 300 protesting ex-workers, after a negotiation meeting Thursday with Vico official and the local Kutai regency parliament.

Rudy said that he was ready to call his colleagues and their families to attack the Vico oil wells.

Vico official Hasanuddin Rachman said that the threat was a serious one. "We will also react seriously by making coordination with various parties including the police."

Supported by the high profile SBSI labor union, the ex-workers have staged demonstration many times demanding Vico to provide around Rp 12 billion in cash for compensation after they have been laid off. But in the company had proposed to provide a revolving fund facility that would not only be enjoyed by the ex-workers but also by the whole people in the local villages. (*)