TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Labor activists regretted the absence of an alternative evacuation route for accidents in the underground mining area of PT Freeport Indonesia in Timika, Papua. Had the Indonesian government ratified the International Labor Organization's (ILO) convention on safety concerns, the mine collapse would probably claim fewer casualties.
"Since 1995, the government has yet to ratify the convention," President of the Indonesian Trade Unions Confederation, Said Iqbal, said on Monday, May 20. Said was referring to the ILO Convention No.176 on Work Safety.
If Freeport had follow the convention, Said said, the company would have had at least two alternate evacuation routes. "The cost (for each route) is very expensive, it could reach trillions of rupiah," he said. But, he believed that as a multinational corporation with premium shares, Freeport could afford such investment.
On May 14, 2013, the underground tunnel in Freeport's mining facility in Mimika, Papua collapsed. At least 38 workers are estimated to have been trapped in tunnel debris. So far, 14 people have died, 10 injured and 14 others have not been found.
Following the accident, the Industrial Global Union Indonesia Council is planning to report Freeport Indonesia's directors to the police, including the company’s President, Director of Operations, and Director of Human Resources.
TIKA PRIMANDARI
