TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Labor union condemns alleged shooting on Freeport workers
Andi Gani Nena Wea, president of the Indonesian Workers Union Confederation (KSPSI), slammed the actions of police officers who allegedly fired shots at PT Freeport Indonesia workers during a rally in Timika, Papua.
Change Size
Dozens of workers of PT Freeport Indonesia stage a rally in front of the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry office in Jakarta on March 7, 2017, demanding the government to resolve a dispute with the company so they can go back to work. (JP/Dhoni Setiawan)
A
ndi Gani Nena Wea, president of the Indonesian Workers Union Confederation (KSPSI), lamented the actions of police officers who allegedly fired shots at PT Freeport Indonesia workers during a rally in Timika, Papua.
Andri Santoso, Sakarias, Puguh Prihandono, Wibowo, Faisal and Zainal Abidin were reportedly injured during a protest in front of Timika District Court on Thursday, demanding the release of Sudiro, a colleague who is standing trial in an embezzlement case.
"Thousands of our workers called on the judge to suspend Sudiro’s detention because of his [poor] health, but the judge denied [our demand]," Andi said.
(Read also: Freeport accepts govt terms)
The judge’s decision to return Sudiro to his cell angered protesters, which led to a clash with police personnel, said Peter Selestinus, one of Sudiro’s lawyers.
"Someone threw rocks at the feet of the Timika police chief, and officers responded by firing shots – they were aimed at protestors, not the air," he added.
Andi said he has been in direct communication with President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo to report on the incident and the actions of the Papua Police.
KSPSI will stage a solidarity rally for the victims on Labor Day, or May Day, on May 1.
Neither the Papua Police or the National Police have responded to queries related to the case. (dis/wit)
