Jakarta – About 80 workers, representing thousands of fellow workers at PT Tripatra Caltex Pacific, in the Sumatra province of Riau, yesterday reported a string of military cruelties to the House of Representatives (DPR).
They said, military personnel has shot workers at two separate demonstrations, on July 15th and 23rd, causing dozens of workers to be injured.
The workers were protesting against insufficient compensation given by the company to the dismissed workers.
"We demand the Defense and Security Minister take action against the military personnel who have acted brutally," a worker named Sunarty told the Observer after her meeting with leaders of House Commission V, in charge of manpower affairs in Jakarta.
At the meeting, the workers also presented legislators with used bullets and tear gas which was utilized by the military personnel to disperse the protesting workers.
Sunarty, who is also secretary general of Indonesian Prosperity Trade Union (SBSI), said the incident took place twice and had caused dozens of workers to be injured. "Some of them are now being treated at the Tabrani hospital," she added.
Fellow worker, Nainggolan, confirmed that thousands of workers had staged two demonstrations, protesting the terribly low compensation given by PT Tripatra Caltex Pacific (TCP) to their dismissed workers.
On September 17th, last year, TCP dismissed 12,000 workers. But the oil company did not give sufficient compensation to those workers.
Prompted by their dissatisfactions, the workers continuously staged protests. "We have been organizing demonstrations since June 21. But, up to present, there is no light of hope," Nainggolan said.
The workers delegation said they have also met with officials from the US embassy and the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM).
Responding to the description of the workers, legislator, Marzuki Achmad said the parliament will soon summon TCP and will urge the company to explain its policies.
"We are really sorry for that incident. It must not take place," he added. Also present at the meeting were legislators Syamsuddin, Suparta Nida, and Sofyan Mile.