Labor strike ends in Sangatta

Striking workers of state oil and gas company Pertamina's contractors in Sangatta, East Kalimantan have agreed to return to works after settling dispute over payment.

Local daily Suara Kaltim reported that the 512 striking workers decided to end their strike on Monday and resume works on Wednesday.

The decision was taken following a successful compromise taken during a negotiation between the representatives of the workers, Pertamina and its contractors on Monday.

The negotiation was mediated by the local governmental officials and councilors.

Spokesman of Pertamina's Sangatta Zakir said the contractors agreed to raise their salaries this year, and their salaries during the strike would be paid by Pertamina.

It remains unclear if all the demands of workers were met. The paper earlier reported that the workers demanded among others that the period of their working contracts be extended to three years from one year at present.

But, the paper said the workers were satisfied by the results of the negotiation.

"We are pleased by the fact that the East Kutai regency administration and council are willing to become mediators that we could settle the dispute," workers' representative Iswoyo said.

Third assistant to the regency secretary Jaya Putra, who presided over the negotiation, called on the workers, Pertamina and contractors, to seek a win-win solution on the negotiation table in any disputes in the future. (*)