Haidir Anwar Tanjung/ Hendra & PT, Jakarta – It is clear that PT Caltex Pacific Indonesia's luck continues to decline. Previously, their oil pumps which are located in the Riau province had been seized and burnt by locals. This time, thousands of contract laborers have staged a strike demanding a hike in their living costs.

The strike started at 7am local time and took place at the township of Duri, around 120 kms from the capital of Riau, Pekanbaru. They have accused that there has been a discrimination of living costs between native and foreign laborers. Head of the Reform Committee on Native Riau People's Rights Struggle Syafrudin, revealed this information to Detik, Tuesday.

When contacted by Detik, the spokesperson of Riau Police, Superintendent S Pandiangan admitted that strikes had been going on. The Public Relations Manager of PT Caltex, Poedyo Oetomo also admitted that strikes were taking place. However, Poedyo has yet to clarify the laborer demands. He promised to send information to Detik about the strike.

It has been reported that thousands of laborers have been gathering and siting in front of the Duri Military Sub-district Command in Pekanbaru. However, according to Syafrudin, the laborers have remained calm.

The latest information reported is that PT Caltex Pacific Indonesia announced that three out five oil pumps in the Riau province oil field are back in operation. The pumps were badly damaged after hundreds of angry local set pumps on fire during a stand off between the oil giant and local residence last Monday . Caltex is yet to determine when to repair the rest of the oil pumps.