SBSI resumes Vico blockage

The sub-contractor workers of American oil and gas company Vico Indonesia, backed by the Indonesian Prosperity Trade Union (SBSI), blocked again on Wednesday the access road to the company's base camp and production facilities in Muara Badak, East Kalimantan.

Local daily Suara Kaltim said the workers sought to set up tents at the gateways to Vico's Badak 20 and Badak 1 camps, but the security officials managed to foil the effort.

The workers then moved to the roads leading the camps and blocked them with the trees, which they felled and removed from the roadside.

The paper said the fear of many people that the workers protest would end up with anarchy now almost comes true.

Member of Vico's negotiating team Hasanuddin Rachman confirmed the workers had resumed the blockage and voiced deep concerns about it.

"Yes ? they have resumed an improper action. SBSI should have restrained itself since the issue raised by SBSI is being handled by the Kutai labor office," Hasanuddin said, insisting that Vico would stick to the existing laws in settling the dispute.

Vico's subcontractor workers have staged many demonstrations this year, demanding among others rise in salary and permanent employment at Vico. The workers are all non-permanent workers of Vico's subcontractors. (*)