Moslem workers demand Bukit Asam to better community development
Tuesday, February 6 2001 - 04:30 AM WIB
Tens of men grouped in the association of Indonesian Moslem workers carried out on Monday a peaceful demonstration at the office of the state-owned coal producer PT Bukit Asam in Muara Enim, South Sumatera, demanding the company to better its community development program.
The protesters led by the head of the association's Muara Enim branch, Effendi Hussein, conveyed a number of demands to the state owned company through the company's public relations officer, Sumatera Express daily reported on Tuesday.
In the meeting, the protesters read their five-point demand.
Firstly, they demanded the company to develop a special mining site that must be operated in partnership with the local people. Secondly, they wanted the company to hire the locals in the operation of its mining sites in several locations in the Muara Enim regency.
The protesters also demanded PT Bukit Asam to give a priority of hiring local people in filling vacant jobs, or as the replacement of the company's workers who moved or retired. They as well demanded the company to allocate certain amount community funds to help the development of small-scale companies in the regency.
In addition, the protesters also demanded the company to allocate 20 percent of its earnings for the development of the regency.(*)