Indonesia - Indonesian security forces kill two strikers (2012)

On 27 June 2011, about 10,000 workers represented by the PT Freeport Indonesia Workers’ Union of the Chemical, Energy, Mine Workers Union (CEMWU or SP KEP SPSI) at the US-owned Freeport McMoran’s Grasberg (FMG) gold and copper mine in Indonesia’s Western Papua region went on strike to demand an increase in wages. The strike ended on 13 July when FMG pledged to negotiate with the union on wages and reinstated six union leaders dismissed when the strike began, with back pay. FMG also paid strikers their wages for the eight-day strike. When negotiations on wages failed, the union resumed its strike on 15 September. On 10 October, Indonesian security forces fired on striking workers killing Petrus Ayemsekaba, 30, and injuring ten more. One of the injured, Leo Wandagau, succumbed to his injuries on 15 October. Negotiations between FMG and the union resumed on 21 November. An agreement was signed in Jakarta on 14 December between SP KEP SPSI and the management ending the strike.