Freeport Must Bear The Responsibility For Striker Killing

Yesterday around 10.30 am a striker, Petrus Ayamiseba was shot dead by the Indonesian security forces at the giant US Freeport copper and gold Mine in Southern West Papua. Seven others, Leo Wandago (36), Chari Suripto (36), Alius Komba (26), Melkias Rumbiak (36), Yunus Ngumulduan (42), Phititon Kogoya (34) and Ahmad Mustofa (42) who suffered injuries had received treatment at Timika Hospital. They were fired upon as they attempted to dissuade illegal workers recruited by the Management not to work while the industrial dispute over wages is still in progress. Workers at the Grasberg mine went on strike since Sept. 15, demanding that their pay, which ranges from $2.10 to $3.50 an hour, be increased to between $17.50 and $43 an hour.

About 90 percent of the mine's 12,000 employees laid down their tools and joined the work stoppage. Grasberg is the world's largest gold mine and one of the biggest copper mines. Wages paid here are one tenth of what Freeport pays its miners in other countries.

The Secretary General of West Papua National Coalition for Liberation, Rex Rumakiek condemned the killing as a premeditated cowardly act by the Indonesian Security forces in collusion with the Management. Mr. Rumakiek called on the Indonesian government to investigate the killing and make sure those responsible including Police and the Management accountable for this crime. This must be done transparently because Freeport Mine has a long history of human rights abuses that were not resolved conclusively he said.

ENDS

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