Jayapura, Jubi – Freeport Indonesia workers ended their protest to the corporation on Friday (28/8/2020) after FI management agreed to admit their request. The protesters later dismantled the blockage they installed in the road connecting Tembagapura and Freeport mining area since Tuesday to normally operate as usual.
A protester contacted by Jubi, TM, told FI management and Mimika Regional Government agreed to admit the protesters’ demand. “They had complied with our demand, so the blockage was already opened this afternoon,” he told Jubi on Friday evening.
According to him, FI management agreed to provide buses to transport off-duty employees starting Friday at 3 pm local time. The corporation will also provide compensation for those who still work during the Covid-19 pandemic. “Freeport management will pay compensation on 31 August 2020,” said TM on WhatsApp.
Earlier, on Thursday (27/8/2020), FI management invited Frans Pigome from Freeport McMoran, Freeport holding company based in Phoenix, USA. Pigome was previously the Chairman of Tongoi Papua, the trade union who mobilised Freeport Indonesia workers on strike in 2007.
“Yesterday he came to meet us. We declined him because his offer was not much different from the management,” said TM.
The demonstration and road blockage ended after FI management admitted the protesters’ demand regarding the transportation to commute off-duty employees from their duty station to Timika, and the compensation for those who keep working during the pandemic.
“The first bus convoy has been provided as usual for Freeport Indonesia workers to transport them to Timika and Tembagapura. We are just waiting for Monday. We express our gratitude to all parties who helped us in seeking justice, that in the end, the rights of employees can be fulfilled,” he said.
In the meantime, Riza Pratama, the Vice President Corporate Communication of Freeport Indonesia, confirmed to Jubi that the road blockage had opened since Friday. “No more blockage,” said Riza to reply Jubi on WhatsApp.(*)
