"In my opinion, we should regret this. We should not blame A, B, but this is for us to (reflect upon) together, be it the people, in this case employees, as well as security forces and investors as well, management. We should regret this because (it) will lead to a (bad image)," Minister Bahlil Lahadalia added.
The minister delivered the statement at a press conference on “Downstreaming Investment Keys and 2023 Investment Challenges,” which was accessed from here on Tuesday.
The minister informed that he had asked his team to check on the incident that transpired at the company. However, he said he had yet to receive a comprehensive report on the incident.
He also urged everyone to work together to find a solution and asked the media to provide proportional coverage that does not provoke people.
"Let us find a solution together; we don't hype this up as a big problem because, in other countries, if there is a problem, the news is not touted too much so as not to harm the country," he said.
On January 14, 2023, a clash broke out during a demonstration at the PT Gunbuster Nickel Industry (GNI) nickel smelter in Bunta village, Petasia Timur district, Central Sulawesi, which lasted from afternoon to evening.
The incident claimed the lives of a local worker and a foreign worker. Moreover, it caused material losses.
Manpower Minister Ida Fauziyah said that the incident served as a lesson for everyone on making foreign workers work alongside locals.
"This is a really good lesson for all of us on how to (ensure) that foreign workers can coexist with local workers," she said.
According to Fauziyah, the clash happened purely due to industrial relations issues.
Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mahfud MD appealed to PT GNI to be more professional in ensuring a conducive work environment so that clashes between workers can be avoided.
Mahfud emphasized that the security forces, together with the local government and PT GNI, were continuing to seek the best possible solution to what had happened.
"The government will guarantee the rights of workers, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution," he added.
The minister said he expects that companies will respond wisely to workers' demands. Workers should be able to express their aspirations and claim their rights according to the proportion, in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations.
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Translator: Ade Irma Juanda, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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