A protest involving contractor employees at the Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP) in Central Sulawesi escalated into acts of vandalism and violence on Sunday, as demonstrators clashed with security personnel over a new company regulation.
PT IMIP, the operator of the nickel-based industrial park, confirmed the incident, which included damage to company property and an assault on security staff.
“We deeply regret this incident. The anarchic actions of the identified contractor employees have resulted in significant losses, including to the contractors themselves,” PT IMIP Head of Media Relations, Dedy Kurniawan, said in a statement.
The unrest was sparked by a new regulation introduced by PT IMIP and its tenants, requiring contractor companies and Private Labor Placement Institutions (LPTKS) to use buses for employee transportation instead of open-bed vehicles such as pickups or trucks. The regulation was enacted in response to frequent accidents and safety concerns.
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“The regulation, which has been socialized since last year, aims to reduce workplace hazards and comply with government occupational health and safety standards,” Dedy said.
Despite eight months of awareness campaigns, some contractors have resisted the new rule, leading to rising tensions. As of March 1, all contractor vehicles with open beds were banned from entering the IMIP area.
The situation escalated early Sunday when contractor employees attacked security personnel and set fire to several safety patrol vehicles. Several individuals, including IMIP security officers, police officers, and an employee of PT DSI (Dexin Steel Indonesia), sustained injuries.
“We strongly condemn these violent acts and will pursue legal action,” Dedy said, adding that investigations were underway.
IMIP, located in Morowali Regency, is a major hub for nickel processing in Indonesia.
Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak
