Ex-workers' protests at PT Bukit Asam end

Workers's demonstrations, which took places for several days at the offices of state, owned coal producer PT Bukit Asam and its contractor PT Sumber Mitra Jaya ended on Friday after the police opened a fire on the protesters on Thursday night.

Hundreds of the former workers of PT Sumber Mitra were forced to leave the place where they seized 17 of the company's vehicles, Suara Express reported on Saturday. Their wives and children who had stayed for several nights at the parking area of PT Bukit Asam had also left the place.

At least 22 protesters were injured in the incident, mostly women and children. Three of victims suffered bullet injuries. The daily said that amongst the victims also included pregnant women, who joined their husbands to get a fair compensation from the company.

Hundreds of the former workers of Sumber Mitra have seized tens of Sumber Mitra vehicles as the company refused to meet their demand, while their wives and children stayed over night at nearby Bukit Asam office.

Sumber Mitra dismissed at least 300 workers 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.

A number of negotiations mediated with the local government have been carried out but the talks always failed. The Sumber Mitra has agreed to pay Rp 1 billion in the severance payment but the workers, who demanded a total of Rp 1.8 billion, refused the offer. (*)