TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo asked National Police Chief, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, to reveal the full details of the clash between PT Gunbuster Nickel Industri (GNI) employees in North Morowali, Central Sulawesi. Jokowi also asked Listyo to ensure that all company operations are back and running.

"Because this will certainly disrupt the Indonesian workforce, which is quite large, and which will certainly be affected if the company's operations are disrupted," Jokowi ordered Listyo as the chief said at the State Palace, Monday, January 16, 2023

A clash that took place Saturday night, January 14, ended with the death of two workers, one an Indonesian and the other a foreign national.

Listyo Sigit explained that the clash at the smelter factory was triggered by provocation in the form of an invitation to strike, as well as several industrial issues currently being discussed internally by the company. Listyo said the call to strike drew pros and cons, until finally there was an attempt to force it upon the workers.

Because of this, some employees refused. But what was being spread was a rumor that it seemed that Indonesian workers had been beaten by foreign workers.

"So in relation to the rumors, I will clarify that what actually happened was not that," Listyo said, denying reports that foreign workers mistreated Indonesian workers first.

Listyo said that the incident in Morowali had been resolved. He said that 71 people had been arrested and 17 people were named suspects. Listyo said the company will resume operations tomorrow.

GNI Conflict; Minister Says Root of Problem is Unanswered Demand

Meanwhile, the Minister of Manpower Ida Fauziyah said that the root of the problem lies in demands made against companies that have not been responded to. Thus, the workers resorted to anarchy.

Ida said her ministry had dispatched a mediator to help resolve the problem and asked the provincial supervisor to oversee incidents at the company. "Today, the two parties have mediated and reached agreements," he said at the Palace.

Minister Ida also said that some of the workers' demands had been responded to by the company. "We will see how far the agreement is and we will oversee the implementation of the agreement," she said.

FAJAR PEBRIANTO

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