Timah's operation back to normal
Friday, September 8 2000 - 07:30 AM WIB
Publicly listed state tin mining company PT Timah resumed operation at two units in Toboali sub-district, Bangka Island, South Sumatera after managing to "control" the protesters who block Timah's two processing unit for three days.
Company corporate secretary Prasetyo Budi Saksono told Petromindo.com on Friday the protest could be put under control after between 50-60 strong mobile brigade elite police from the South Sumatran provincial capital arrived at the location and the local authorities persuaded the protesters to stop their action.
Some 250 ex-workers who were laid off in 1997 held a demonstration on Monday to demand the company pay more severance pay.
They blocked two production units, forcing the company to stop operations at the units until Wednesday.
"The former workers blocked installation units and they also stole some tin ore reserves in the area," the company earlier said in a statement.
According to Prasetyo, the workers, who were all local recruits, had received their full severance payment when the company lay the off as a part of streamlining program.
He said Timah suffered a potential loss of 1.5 tons a day during the blockade. (alex)