Papuaaround.com – The Papua Legal Aid Institute (LBH Papua) is urging a thorough investigation into allegations of gratuities involving PT Freeport Indonesia (PT-FI), the Papua Provincial Labor Office, and the Mimika Regency Labor Office.
Emanuel Gobay, Director of LBH Papua and legal representative for 8,300 striking PT FI workers, revealed that an audit by the Papua Inspectorate dated June 21, 2021, found financial transactions between PT FI and the labor office.
During a press conference on Monday (February 3, 2025) in Jayapura, Gobay stated, “We received this report on January 13, 2025. After reviewing it, we identified two suspected gratuities. First, PT FI provided Rp29,621,200 to the Papua Provincial Labor Office for activities in Jakarta related to the fate of the 8,300 striking workers. Second, PT FI allegedly covered accommodation and transportation expenses totaling Rp62,452,400 for the same office.”
Gobay expressed concerns that these payments were linked to the prolonged workers’ strike, which began on May 1, 2017.
The strike was triggered by PT FI’s implementation of a furlough policy, which, according to Gobay, lacks legal grounds in Indonesia. “This policy, derived from American employment practices, is not recognized under Indonesia’s Labor Law No. 13 of 2003,” he emphasized.
Despite following legal procedures for the strike, including notifying the Mimika Regency Labor Office and PT FI management seven days in advance, the workers’ demands were ignored. Gobay criticized PT FI for disregarding objections raised by the workers on three separate occasions.
Gobay also highlighted that PT FI failed to comply with a formal notice from the Labor Inspectorate. “The lack of response should have prompted a second notice, but it was never issued. As a result, we filed a lawsuit against the Papua Provincial Labor Office at the Jayapura Administrative Court,” he explained.
Shockingly, Gobay revealed that PT FI’s legal team represented the labor office during the court proceedings. “This is highly irregular, as the government has its own legal division,” he pointed out.
LBH Papua uncovered additional misconduct, including the labor office’s failure to act on recommendations from the State Civil Apparatus Commission (Komisi ASN), which categorized the office’s actions as maladministration. “Despite the commission’s recommendation for the Papua Governor to reprimand the Labor Office head, no action was taken. We have now brought the case to the Ombudsman,” Gobay added.
Antonius Awom, one of the striking workers, highlighted the long-standing suffering caused by PT FI’s stance that the strike was illegal and that the workers had effectively resigned.
“The term ‘considered’ has been the root of our suffering from 2017 to 2025. As a result, more than 200 workers have passed away without receiving their rightful benefits,” Awom lamented.
He stressed the need for justice, not only concerning the alleged financial misconduct but also the abuse of power that has left thousands of workers in distress. “We demand legal action against both the givers and recipients of these gratuities,” he concluded.
LBH Papua‘s calls for accountability and legal action underscore the ongoing challenges faced by workers and highlight the need for transparency and justice in employment and governance matters in Papua.