"We view the status of PT Freeport`s contract renewal purely from the economic perspective as more than 30 thousand workers and 90 thousand of their family members rely on PT Freeport directly," Solossa said.
Timika, Papua (ANTARA News) - A labor union in Mimika District, Papua Province, has reminded the Indonesian government to act wisely in giving assurance on the renewal of PT Freeport Indonesias work contract in Papua.

Any decision on the contract renewal would affect Papuas economy and political stability, Virgo Solossa, the chairman of the All Indonesian Labor Union chapter of Mimika, stated here, Friday.

"We view the status of PT Freeports contract renewal purely from the economic perspective as more than 30 thousand workers and 90 thousand of their family members rely on PT Freeport directly," he affirmed.

Furthermore, the Papua authorities rely heavily on Freeport for their revenues, implementation of health and educational services, and for supporting the economy of the indigenous people, he added.

He believes that the presence of the US gold and copper mining company is crucial for the future survival of the regional government and community.

"We are confident that President Joko Widodo is indeed aware of this. But, Jakarta politicians are trying to put pressure on the government through the issue," he stated.

He urged the politicians to stop politicizing Freeport contracts renewal status as the people of Papua would have to face the impact and not the politicians in Jakarta.

The labor union also lauded a recent statement given by Papua Governor Lukas Enembe, saying that the companys contract renewal should be focused on ensuring better development in Papua.

He called on every element in Papua to unite and ensure that the central government will grant a permit to PT Freeport for the export of mineral ores comprising copper, silver, and gold in January 2016.

PT Freeport might adopt efficiency measures if the permit is not issued in January next year, he said.

Energy and Minister Resources Minister Sudirman Said recently issued a permit to PT Freeport to export copper, silver, and gold ores as the smelter plant in Gresik, East Java, is only capable of processing 40 percent of the companys production.

PT Freeport, in cooperation with the Japanese company Mitsubishi, is developing a smelter in Gresik to annually process around two million tons of copper, silver, and gold ores produced by PT Freeport in Papua.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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