Councilor calls on Newmont to care for employees

A councilor of Minahasa regency called on gold mining company PT Newmont Minahasa Raya to keep caring for its employees after the local court closed down its operation, Manado Post reported.

Ronald Andaria S, a commission secretary of the Minahasa council, warned the company not to lay off its workers.

"If the company is temporarily closed, we hope the company to keep caring for its employees. Don't let the employees become victims," he said.

Ronald admitted that the Tondano District Court's plan to temporarily close the company's operation had caused worries among the company's employees.

The Tondano court has issued an order for the company to temporarily close its mining operation in the Minahasa regency at the request of the regency administration, which sued the company following its refusal to pay taxes on overburden. The closure ruling has been approved by the Manado High Court. (*)