Indonesian Workers Extend Strike to 4th Month

TIMIKA, KOMPAS.com — Workers at Freeport-McMoRan's gold and copper mine in eastern Indonesia have decided to extend their strike into a fourth month.

About 8,000 miners of 12,000 unionized employees — now paid between $2.10 to $3.50 per hour — began a strike Sept. 15 to demand higher wages.

Union spokesman Virgo Solossa said Sunday that they decided to remain on strike until at least Jan. 15 but would like to cut a deal before Christmas. Solossa said many of the mostly Christian striking miners are worried they cannot afford to celebrate Christmas.

The workers are now asking for $7.50 per hour — down from an earlier demand of $17.50 to $43. The company is offering a 35 percent increase over the next two years. Government-mediated negotiations have failed.