Gold and copper mining firm PT Freeport has reportedly laid off 840 employees for going on strike in Timika, Papua province, some time ago.
Septinus Soumilena, Head of the Immigration, Transmigration and Public Housing Office, confirmed he had received a report from PT Freeport about the dismissal of some 840 employees.
“We have received a letter of notification from the management of PT Freeport stating 840 employees had been laid off. Of course, this is a cause of major concern for all of us,” he said.
The Immigration, Transmigration and Public Housing Office in Mimika tried its best to prevent the layoff by writing to the management of PT Freeport on April 12 but to no avail, he revealed.
“It turns out that the letter we have sent was late, because by the time it was sent, about 430 workers had been laid off. Today, we sent a letter urging the management of PT Freeport to cancel the layoff. The number of employees discharged has reached 840,” he said.
The Mimika district government will act, as soon as possible, to facilitate a meeting between the management of PT Freeport and leaders of labor unions, he stated.
Resource: Antara