Workers Union Calls PT NHM Commitment To Paying All Workers Salaries

Illustration (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The head of three Trade Unions from PT Nusa Halmahera Minerals (NHM), namely PT NHM KSBSI FPE, PT NHM SPSI PUK, and PB GSBM PT NHM, believes that the company's prospects for the future will be good following the success of exploration activities in the three years which succeeded in increasing gold reserves in the company's Contract area to 1.4 million Oz gold and resources increased by 2.3 million Oz gold with an estimated value of more than 1 billion US dollars.

The three of them also raised their voices in response to reports about the unpaid salaries and allowances of thousands of NHM employees in recent months in a number of media.

The three of them emphasized that the news was detrimental because it had caused unrest that could disrupt the company's stability.

Furthermore, the three informed that the management of NHM has communicated with all workers and labor unions on the issue, in which it has been agreed to pay salaries and other allowances for all employees in stages following the improvement in the production and operational performance of the company thanks to the success of this exploration.

PB GSBM Chairman of PT NHM, Rudi Parta emphasized, since NHM was under the leadership of PT Indotan Halmahera Bangkit (IHB) as the controlling shareholder, management has always maintained open communication with all Trade Unions.

"We see that NHM is recovering since the success of exploration. I see that the management really cares about the fulfillment of the rights and welfare of employees. I firmly deny irresponsible news that NHM employees will be laid off. All operations continue and are still running very well until now," Rudi explained to reporters, Tuesday, October 10.

Similarly, the Chairman of the SPSI PUK PT NHM, Rusli A sidea added, NHM not only provides positive benefits for employees, but also upholds its commitment to the community around the mine.

"What we have seen so far is that NHM management is very committed and has good intentions in fulfilling the mandate of the law for the rights and welfare of the community around the mining environment, in addition to fulfilling the rights and welfare of our employees and families. I think the news is not good and even detrimental because it is troubling employees who are currently focusing with management to improve production performance," said Rusli.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the KSBSI FPE PT NHM Iswan Hi Ma'rus appreciated the role of IHB as the current NHM controlling shareholder in maintaining strong operational performance.

In particular, success in mining exploration activities that have significantly increased the company's reserves and resources and extended the mining life to about 10 years.

"What we understand is thanks to the hard work of IHB as a controlling shareholder of NHM in the last 3 years, NHM reserves have increased to 1.4 million golden Oz and resources increased by 2.3 million gold Oz with an estimated value of more than 4.1 billion US dollars. We believe production and financial performance will continue to improve following the success of exploration. From here I believe the company will be able to fulfill its commitment to all workers and other stakeholders," concluded Iswan.

For information, of the total area of the Work Contract area which reaches 30,000 hectares, only 30 percent of exploration activities have been carried out, so it is believed that the potential for mineral reserves in the NHM contract area is still very abundant.

NHM management representative, Amiruddin Hasyim, who served as Head of NHM Mining Engineering (KTT) for 9 years and now Deputy President Director, believes this new reserve can be a new energy for NHM's overall performance, including in fulfilling all of its commitments to stakeholders.

"Currently the company has increased its production capacity. This allows NHM to concentrate more and provide the best efforts in meeting employee salary needs. Management hopes that with this increase in production, employee welfare can be maintained properly, along with the company's growth and progress," explained Amiruddin.