Vico to hold talks with protesting employees Wednesday

Oil and gas company PT Vico will hold a negotiation talk with the protesting employees of the company's sub contractors on Wednesday in Samarinda, East Kalimantan, according to Bontang Police Chief Superintendent Sujarno.

Sujarno was quoted by the Detik.com online as saying that the planned negotiation talks had helped resume a normal condition at the Vico Muara Badak compound.

He declined to provide details.

Some 3,000 employees of the sub contractors of Vico Muara Badak operation have staged a protest since early this month demanding among other things a raise in salary. During the demonstration, the protesting employees also blockaded the main gate of Vico Muara Bada operation causing difficulties for the company's employees to go to work and creating jitters in the area particularly following clash with the security officials.

But the protesters ended the blockade since last week following talks with the East Kalimantan Police Chief and Military Commander, although the employees still continue their strike. (*)