When contacted by ANTARA from Timika on Thursday, Vice President Corporate Communication of PT. Freeport Indonesia Riza Pratama was reluctant to comment on this issue.
Pratama`s comments were sought to seek clarity on whether the former workers will be re-employed by Freeport by sending an SMS or WhatsApp message.
However, in fact, no heed was paid to the request.
In fact, Pratama did not respond to the cell phone call from ANTARA.
Earlier on Tuesday, the manpower ministry, Papua provincial manpower office, and Mimika district manpower office had mediated between PT. Freeport Indonesia and representatives of the company`s former employees.
"Several months ago, we received a request from Freeport for recruitment of around 500 new workers in the first batch, and in the second batch, the number to be recruited will be higher," he revealed.
On the occasion, representatives of the manpower ministry, Papuan provincial manpower office, and Mimika district manpower office wanted Freeport to re-employ the workers, who had been laid off since April 2017.
In the meantime, Ruth Paulus of the Papuan manpower office regretted Freeport`s policy to recruit new employees, but the company was reportedly reluctant to re-employ the fired workers on the pretext of efficiency.
(E002/B/INE)
(T.SYS/B/KR-BSR/C/S012)
Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
