"Mobilization of the workers will start this morning by the three contractors after the agreement on Thursday with the contractors and representatives of PT Freeport," a local union leader Irwanto Hasan told Antara new agency here on Friday.
Leaders of the local units of Indonesian labor union (SPSI) had reached an agreement on pay hike with the managements of PT Jasti Pravita, PT Osato Seike and PT Srikandi Mitra Karya (JOS),which are carrying out projects owned by the US company which has big copper and gold mines in Papua.
Irwanto said part or around 650 workers would be transported to Tembagapura and the rest to LIP Kuala Kencana and the port town of Portsite Amamapare, the places where they had worked for the contractors.
Irwanto said under the agreement, the minimum hourly pay is Rp11,850 calculated on minimum monthly pay of Rp2,050,000 on regular time.
They pay agreement is retroactive as from January, 2013, he said.
Overtime pay is Rp13,563 per hour, he said, adding the difference in pay until April would be paid in May.
The pay increased by 3 to 6 percent depending on the duration they have worked for the companies, Irwanto said
It was also agreed that the companies may not take disciplinary action against striking workers and reduce allowance and other rights entitled to them earlier, he said.
The workers, therefore, will fully receive pay for regular time of seven hours per day during the strike from April 30 to May 2.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2013
