The National Police Involves A Union Of Workers To Peace The Bentrok Workers Of PT GNI, KILLing Indonesian Citizens And Foreigners

The atmosphere of dialogue between the top management of PT GNI and employee representatives facilitated by the Regent of North Morowali, Delis J. Hehi. (ANTARA-HO-MCD Morut Regional Government)

JAKARTA - The National Police has approached the dialogue that I have resolved the clash between mining workers at PT Gunbutter Nickel Industri (GNI) in Bunta Village, North Morowali, Central Sulawesi (Central Sulawesi).

Head of the Public Relations Division of the National Police Inspector General Pol. Dedi Prasetyo said that dialogue efforts led by the North Morowali Police Chief continued after the clashes occurred.

"Currently, dialogue continues, led by the police chief and the North Morowali Regency Government, as well as related parties," said Dedi when confirmed, Monday, January 16.

The dialogue effort presented various parties involved, such as from the labor union and the company.

As is known, the riots involved local workers or Indonesian citizens with foreign workers or foreigners, which started from small quarrels to spread into major clashes that occurred in the PT GNI area on Saturday, January 14 evening. The aftermath of the clashes was that 2 workers died.

After the clashes, continued Dedi, the situation at the scene was gradually conducive and continuous dialogue was held to resolve the problem.

"Currently the situation is gradually conducive," said Dedy.

Separately, the Head of Public Relations of the Central Sulawesi Police, Kombes Pol. Didik Supratono mentioned that the two victims of the PT GNI clash were 1 local worker and 1 foreign worker.

"The victim died two people; one foreign worker and one Indonesian worker," said Didik.

With the help of other security forces, the National Police remains alert around the company, such as on entrances, hauling roads, piers, and other strategic places to keep the situation conducive after the clashes.

"Alhamdulillah (the situation) is conducive," said Didik.

Based on Antara's report, the chronology of the clashes began with the National Workers Union (SPN) demonstration at PT GNI, Saturday, January 14, at 06.00 WIB, which took place in two locations, namely Post 4 and Post 5 at the company.

The demonstration was a reaction because no agreement was reached between SPN and PT GNI in a meeting with the North Morowali Regency Manpower Office on Friday, January 13.

The demonstration by SPN PT GNI caused traffic jams around the company's access because 300 employees of PT GNI went on strike.

In this action, the workers conveyed eight demands related to the welfare and safety of the workers.

These demands include companies that are required to apply K3 procedures according to the law, provide complete personal protective equipment (PPE) to workers, stop unclear wage cuts, and terminate certain time work agreements (PKWT) for permanent work.

In addition, the mass of action also demanded that the company re employ SPN members whose contracts were terminated due to a strike and asked for clarity on the rights to the family of the late Made and the late Nirwana Selle. Regarding these demands, PT GNI responded by making a strike notification letter and agreeing to seven of the eight demands filed by employees.