31 May 2013

Workers say human error caused Papua tunnel collapse

2:21 pm on 31 May 2013

The Indonesian government has completed an investigation into a fatal tunnel collapse at Papua's Grasberg mine, as a worker says human error was the cause.

The collapse on May the 14th crushed a classroom and killed 28 workers.

While the government has issued recommendations to the mine owners Freeport McMoRan, workers are demanding much more.

Alex Perrottet reports.

"The government has given its recommendations to the company, which restarted operations on Tuesday, two weeks after 28 workers were crushed to death. The company says it never wants this kind of incident to happen again, but workers say if it were honest, the company would put safety before production concerns. Staff and union member Darmawan Puteranto says there were many reports that the tunnel was not fit for use and workers often heard falling rocks above the classroom. He says staff are afraid to join the union and fight for their rights alongside contractors. Workers have asked the company to pay compensation equally to families of contractors and employees."