Demonstrations frequent at Newmont Nusa Tenggara

The regent of Sumbawa, West Nusa Tenggara said on Monday copper and gold mining company PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara had been frequently hit by demonstrations by people who protested its employment policy, Bali Post reported.

Latief Madjid said demonstrations at the company had become "a trend". The protests always took place prior to a recruitment program.

He said Newmont is currently employing 3.120 people, 40 percent of whom hail from Sumawa. 20 percent from Lombok and 40percent from outside the West Nusa Tenggara province; while the number of expatriate workers at the company reached 159.

The regent admitted that the locals mostly do menial jobs at the company.

"This situation has caused social jealousy," he said. (*)