Hundreds of PT Freeport workers launch strike

Hundreds of workers at gold and copper giant PT Freeport Indonesia in Mimika, Papua Province, have been on strike since Wednesday, causing the company?s production operation to be less than maximal, CNN Indonesia reported on Sunday.

Mimika Police Chief Yustanto Mujiharso confirmed the strike by PT Freeport workers at the Grasberg open-pit area. He was quoted by the news portal as saying that the workers made the strike because the company failed to fulfill their demands one of which is equal bonus with workers at the under-ground mine and mill operations.

?The number (of striking workers) is about 200. Company production becomes not maximal because of the strike,? Yustanto said, adding that he would hold a meeting with the company on Monday to seek solution to the issue to avoid security problem. ?So far, there?s no security threat, condition remains conducive,? he said.

Vice President for Communication at PT Freeport Indonesia, Riza Pratama could not be reached for comments. (*)