1 Nov 2011

Papua unions fear police action to break Freeport strike

1:52 pm on 1 November 2011

The union representing striking Freeport Indonesia mine workers in Papua is claiming that a number of police armoured vehicles and heavy loaders are on their way to break up the labour action.

This comes as thousands of workers have been on strike since mid-September in a bid to get substantial pay increases.

A statement by the All-Indonesian Workers Union says the police plan to break the strike as a delegation from the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions is scheduled to meet Freeport unionists in Jakarta.

The Jakarta Globe says in a letter sent to the union, police accuse the striking workers of breaching criminal laws and regulations governing workers' conduct.

In turn, the union denies breaking any laws or regulations, and criticised the alleged 14 million US dollars that Freeport has been paying to the National Police.