PTBA resumes normal operation

State owned coal producer PT Batubara Bukit Asam (PT BA) resumed its normal operation on Thursday after the management agreed to talk the protesting workers who demanded an increase in the welfare allowance, Sriwijaya Post reported on Friday.

The management pledged to bring the workers? demand during the upcoming meeting with commissioners, who represent the government which owns the entire stake in the Tanjung Enim South Sumatera based coal mining company.

Thousands of PT BA?s workers went on strike on Wednesday after the company?s management rejected their demand to increase welfare allowance.

The protest initially started only by workers of grade 4, 5 and 6, the lowest rank in the workers? status in the company has caused a disruption in the company?s activities after they forced other workers to join the strike. The protest made in the company?s headquarter in Tanjung Enim was also joined by their colleagues working in the company?s coal receiving terminals in Kertapati in Palembang and in Lampung.

"We really appreciate the workers? understanding. As state owed firm, any decision related to the company?s policy should be decided by the commissioners," the company?s senior executive said. (*)