SBSI denies any involvement of foreign NGOs in KPC

The Indonesian Prosperous Labor Union (SBSI) has denied a statement made by Minister of Mines and Energy Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono that alleged possible involvement of foreign non-governmental organization (NGOs) in the prolong labor conflict at coal miner PT Kaltim Prima Coal.

SBSI said in a press release signed by signed by its communications officer Andy William Sinaga that Susilo Bambang's statement could destroy the image of the labor union.

Susilo Bambang earlier suspected that foreign NGOs were taking roles in KPC problems and called on the National Police to investigate their role.

He said that the foreign party, the NGOs, did not want to see a good settlement in the prolonged conflicts between the management of KPC and the striking employees. If the police could prove their involvement, he said, the government must give strong penalties against them.

SBSI said that Susilo Bambang had not consulted SBSI about the matter and it suspected that the minister got one-sided information from the businesses.

The union again reiterated that it had no hidden motivation in helping KPC employees in settling their problems with the management. It noted that the labor conflicts originally came from the employees, and not exploited by a third party.

It called on the people not to be easily provoked by misleading issues that were thrown by those who did not want to see welfare improvement of Indonesian labors.

Following a meeting involving SBSI, KPC management, and other related parties in East Kalimantan last week, KPC employees ended their blockage and strike that paralyzed KPC's operation for some time. (*)