Jayapura, Jubi – Freeport Indonesia on Thursday (3/9/2020) declared the mining activity has returned to normal after temporarily stopping due following the protest and road blockage by their workers. The corporate representative stated Freeport Indonesia had started to reimburse the additional incentive to workers that continue to work during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Earlier, on Wednesday evening 2/9/2020), some workers held a protest in Mile 72 and blocked the road connecting Tembagapura and Frerport mining site. The workers said they were disappointed because the management have not paid their incentive yet as agreed.
This protest and blockage, according to workers, had stopped the Freeport production.
In the meantime, the Vice President Corporate Communication of Freeport Indonesia Riza Pratama when confirmed on Thursday admitted that the protest and road blockage had temporarily stopped the operation of Freeport. But, he firmly stated that everything has returned to normal since Thursday evening.
To address this issue, Riza said the Freeport Indonesia management has issued a new internal memorandum to clarify the amount of compensation provided to employees who work during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The mining operation has return to normal, and the corporation has issued a memo for the employees,” said Riza on WhatsApp on Thursday noon.
When asked about the amount of losses regarding the protest, Riza said he cannot say because the corporation is still counting and evaluating their losses.
Until this writing was released, no confirmation was received from the workers involved in the protest and road blockage on Wednesday evening. Protesters have not yet responded to Jubi reporter asking for an update at Mile 72.
Earlier, a protester contacted by Jubi on Wednesday evening stated that workers started to protest and block the road to close the access from Tembagapura to the Freeport mining site.
“We, Freeport Indonesia workers, are disappointed and blocking the main access road to the production area. Therefore, it disturbs the operations and production,” said a resource who requested to remain anonymous on Wednesday evening through WhatsApp. (*)
Reporter: Alexander Loen
Editor: Pipit Maizier
