Labor strike still continues in Freeport

Negotiation about the demand for raising welfare of PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI)?s workers failed to find an agreement but the corporate management approved the establishment of the Papuan Affairs Department and the replacement of ailing management staffs, Kompas Daily reported.

Frans Pigome, leader of local tribe Togoi dominating the protesters, called on the workers in Timika on Friday to discontinue the protest already taking place for three days. However, his deputy, Silas Natkime told Kontan Daily on the same day that they would continue to stage demonstration until one or two weeks to come as Mimika Police Precinct extended the permit.

President Director of PTFI Armando Mahler met representatives of Papuan Togoi tribes, led by Frans Pigome, in Kuala Kencana on Thursday to discuss the increase in worker salaries, the establishment a special department for Papuan people and the improvement of the corporate management but the gathering came to an end without agreement.

PT Freeport Indonesia has organized two programs for Papuan people, namely New Scholar Development Program and Apprenticeship Program in Nemangkawi Institute of Mining. The participants total 3,000, compared to 800 in 1995.

Meanwhile, Mindo Pangaribuan of PTFI said that despite the ongoing strike, production activity at PTFI continues. But the volume of the production activity is not as high as that at the normal condition.(*)