Coal workers agree to receive company's offer

Over 300 former workers of PT Sumber Mitra Jaya, a contractor of the state owned coal mining company PT Bukit Asam have finally agreed to receive the Rp 1 billion in compensation payment offered by their former boss, Sriwijaya Pos reported on Monday..

The workers have surrendered all the 17 vehicles they have seized since Wednesday last week after the company transferred the funds to their account in the local bank.

The agreement was reached after the local police opened a fire on the protesters on Thursday night, which injured at least 22 of them, including women and children, who also joined the protest.

The workers previously rejected the offer and insisted the company to pay them Rp 1.8 billion in severance payment.

At least 300 workers were dismissed by Sumber Mitra several months ago due to the decline in its works but the workers opposed the dismissal because the company did not give enough severance payment. (*)