Thousands protest planned visit of labor leader to mining company
Friday, July 7 2000 - 04:00 AM WIB
Thousands of Tabalong villagers held a protest on Thursday to reject the planned visit of chairman of the SBSI labor union Muchtar Pakpahan to PT Pama Persada Nusantara, a contractor of the giant coal mining company PT Adaro in South Kalimantan province, the local Banjarmasin Post daily reported.
The paper said that the villagers feared Muchtar's visit would create new problems in the area.
The protesters came with trucks and mini buses to the Pama office. Tabalong Regent Noor Aidi appealed to the villagers not to make violence in making their aspiration.
SBSI has been the supporter of the labor protest at East Kalimantan coal mining giant PT Kaltim Prima Coal (KPC) demanding for a higher salary. The protest had started since June 14 and there's no signs yet that it would end. The protesters had controlled certain vital facilities causing the company to be unable to make production. KPC announced earlier this week a force majeure status.
Meanwhile, Pama deputy project manager Rachmat said that he was not aware of Muchtar's visit. He said that the company's SBSI unit had not informed him about the planned visit. (*)