A recent study Sembada Bersama Indonesia, “Workers Waiting to Die in Morowali: The Risks of Occupational Diseases in One of the World’s Largest Nickel Industrial Zones” (Aug 2023–Dec 2024), uncovers alarming occupational health and safety (OSH) issues at the Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP) — the world’s largest nickel industrial zone. Since 2015, IMIP has employed over 80,000 workers but has not recorded a single occupational disease case. This absence, however, reflects systemic failures in diagnosing and addressing workplace hazards, not an absence of risks. ⚠️
Key findings include:
- Chemical & physical hazards: Exposure to nickel, asbestos, heat, and noise.
- Health impacts: Long working hours, lack of preventive systems, and limited health safeguards.
- Gender-specific challenges: Female workers face unsafe night shifts, denied menstrual leave, and harassment risks.
- Poor conditions: Inadequate facilities, subpar food quality, and safety negligence.
The report highlights how weak enforcement of OSH standards — driven by a focus on investment over workers’ rights — perpetuates unsafe conditions. Workers’ health and safety must take precedence over profit.
👉 Read more: Read more:https://sembadabersama.org/workers-waiting-to-die-in-morowali-full-version/
