A tragic incident took place on Christmas Eve at a nickel mine in Morowali, Sulawesi, Indonesia, in which 13 workers died on the spot and six others succumbed to their injuries in hospital.
The GSBI (Center of Indonesian Labor Struggle) expresses deep concern and condolences for the victims of a deadly smelter furnace explosion at PT ITSS, a company within the PT IMIP (Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park), on December 24, 2023. This accident, part of President Jokowi’s National Strategic Project, resulted in 19 deaths and over 30 severe injuries. GSBI criticizes the poor implementation of occupational safety and health (OSH) standards at PT ITSS and the Indonesian government’s and PT IMIP’s responsibility in ensuring worker safety and compensation. They highlight the need for adequate compensation, livelihood guarantees, and future job assurances for the victims’ families, emphasizing the pattern of negligence in nickel mining projects impacting worker safety and the environment. GSBI futher demands an independent investigation, respect for workers’ rights, strict enforcement of OSH standards, and a reevaluation of the claim that nickel downstream projects contribute to a clean energy transition. Read here the official statement of GSBI
