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Comments on other issues: Workers attack Banyu Urip project site in Cepu
Violent protest: A photo showing a car burning, while another lies vandalized after thousands of angry workers at a construction site at the Banyu Urip oil field in Bojonegoro, East Java, rioted last Saturday after they found out they were unable to immediately leave the site at lunchtime
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Violent protest: A photo showing a car burning, while another lies vandalized after thousands of angry workers at a construction site at the Banyu Urip oil field in Bojonegoro, East Java, rioted last Saturday after they found out they were unable to immediately leave the site at lunchtime.(Courtesy of Tribunenews) (Courtesy of Tribunenews)
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span class="inline inline-center">Violent protest: A photo showing a car burning, while another lies vandalized after thousands of angry workers at a construction site at the Banyu Urip oil field in Bojonegoro, East Java, rioted last Saturday after they found out they were unable to immediately leave the site at lunchtime.(Courtesy of Tribunenews)
Aug. 2, p2
Thousands of angry workers reportedly destroyed facilities at a construction site at the Banyu Urip oil field in Bojonegoro, East Java, on Saturday after they found that were unable to immediately leave the site at lunchtime.
The incident disrupted production activities at the field, located within the oil-rich Cepu block. Bojonegoro Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Hendri Fiuser said the incident, which took place at the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC 1) area of the site in Gayam district, started at noon and lasted 30 minutes.
Your comments:
Some important and nagging questions immediately come to the mind of the incredulous reader after reading this article:
What were the changes in management policy of the Banyu Urip oil field that resulted in the closure of three exit gates, leaving only two open on that particular day?
Why didn't the management foresee the catastrophe that would happen if thousands of workers, tired and obviously eager to enjoy lunch, had to wait such a long time before they could leave the site? Why did the workers become so furious, and why did they attack onsite vehicles and offices at the Cepu Block project site? Was this the final straw that broke the camel's back, in a long series of humiliations that the workers had to endure for a long time?
Previously, before this incident occurred, had they been treated humanely and decently by the management? Were their grievances heard and attended to? Were their rights respected?
This incident at the Cepu block may be the first tremors of an impending earthquake.
The salient question now is, why didn't the management have the wisdom and aforethought to anticipate this very unpleasant incident, since Banyu Urip is currently the backbone of national oil production? Was and is making money their chief interest? What about the interests of the workers?
Fire P
Poor leadership and management will always contribute to a hostile workplace. However, the workers' representatives should have been more proactive in ensuring that a) the workers were taken care of and b) the workers showed some restraint, instead of destroying their own place of employment.
Willo
