Mining Workers Reject Raw Material Export Rules

Monday, 28 May, 2012 | 17:22 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:The National Mining Workers Solidarity (SPARTAN) asked the government to annul the Energy and Mineral Resources Minister's Regulation No. 7 Year 2012 that prohibits mining companies from exporting mineral raw materials as of 2012. According to SPARTAN Southeast Sulawesi Presidium, Abdul Rahman, the ministerial regulation will become a terror and a threat for the mining workers.

"Thousands of mining companies will cease operations and stop production, thus causing more than 4 million workers to have their employment terminated," said Rahman at a press conference at Gallery Cafe, Taman Ismail Marzui, Sunday, May 27, 2012.

According to him, the ministerial regulation is contrary to Law No. 4 Year 2009 on Mineral and Coal Mining. The Law permits exports of raw mineral materials until the year 2014. The Law should become a standard reference in creating the ministerial regulation.

"This is a state. Why should the Law be defeated by a ministerial regulation?" Rahman questioned. He said this ministerial rule does not apply to such foreign companies as Freeport, Inco and Newmount. "The government only thinks of foreign entrepreneurs, instead of the workers," he said.

Mining worker of PT Bintang Delapan, Abdul Rohim, thinks that the government is pro-foreign companies and is not pro-people. According to Abdul, it is the state policy that will terminate the employment of the company's workers.

SPARTAN asked the government to pay the mining workers allowances and provide jobs for four million workers who will be dischared due to the issuance of the Ministerial Regulation No. 7 Year 2012. "We want the mineral, mining and oil-gas assets throughout Indonesia to be nationalized," added Rahman.

"Unless the ministerial regulation is revoked, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono should be replaced because he does not take sides with the people," declared Rahman.

AFRILIA SURYANIS 

http://www.tempointeractive.com/hg/nasional/2012/05/28/brk,20120528-406703,uk.html