Work Accidents Happened Again at PT GNI, Ministry of Manpower Deepens the Causes of Incidents

The Ministry of Manpower is still investigating the incident of a work accident that occurred at PT Gunbuster Nickel Industry or GNI, Monday (26/6/2023). Accidents occurred again in the midst of efforts to improve the GNI.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI.

KOMPAS/ELSA EMIRIA LEBA

Smelters illustration

JAKARTA, KOMPAS  —  Work accident cases have occurred again at PT Gunbuster Nickel Industri or GNI, North Morowali, Central Sulawesi. On Monday (26/6/2023) local time. Seven employees became victims. Ministry of Manpower is still investigating the cause of the incident.

From the work accident incident, four people suffered minor injuries and two others are still being treated in hospital. One other person has died.

Head of Human Resources and General Affairs PT GNI, Muknis Basri Assegaf, when confirmed on Wednesday (28/6/2023) from Jakarta, said the chronology of the causes of work accidents was still under investigation. After the results of the investigation are obtained, the new company can provide an official explanation to the public.

"We are mourning. This incident is a heavy blow for us. Because, at the same time, we have been improving in all aspects, especially in terms of work safety," he said.

According to Muknis, the company is currently focusing on handling the victims, especially those who are still undergoing treatment. For employees who become victims and pass away, PT GNI strives to provide immediate death social security benefits and the company also gives compensation to the heirs.

"We grieve for the families of the victims," ​​said Muknis.

Work accidents at PT GNI have occurred before. On December 22, 2022 there was a fire which started from an explosion at Smelter 2 Furnace Number 17 PT GNI. The fire then enlarged and trapped two workers at the site and died.

Then, on January 29th, 2023, an employee of PT GNI died after experiencing an accident caused by the truck he was driving slipping on a hauling road.

The chronology of the cause of the work accident is still under investigation. After the investigation results are obtained, the company can provide an official explanation to the public.

The Chairman of the Central Sulawesi Branch of the Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPI), Katsaing, when contacted separately in Jakarta, stated that the National Workers Union had previously attempted direct mediation with the management of PT GNI following a work accident that killed two workers in December 2022. This mediation aims to find out the extent of the implementation of occupational health and safety (K3).

"Before that, we heard that there were several work accidents. The implementation of the OHS system there was not effective," he said.

Katsaing also assessed that government supervision of occupational safety and health standards plays a crucial role. However, he believes that the Central Sulawesi Provincial Government and the North Morowali Regency Government have not taken concrete measures in supervising, leading to repeated work accidents.

Meanwhile, the General Chairperson of the Central Leadership Board of the Confederation of All Indonesian Workers Union, Jumhur Hidayat, believes that in several smelter companies, building worker unions is made difficult. As a result, workers find it challenging to participate in supervising and providing input on the implementation of occupational health and safety norms.

"We just found out about the problem in the implementation of K3 regulations after there was a work accident case," said Jumhur.

Also read: PT GNI Improves Employment Norms

KOMPAS/RADITYA HELABUMI

The processing and refining activities of the nickel smelter managed by PT Virtue Dragon Nickel Industry, a subsidiary of Jiangsu Delong Nickel Industry from China, in Morosi, Konawe Regency, Southeast Sulawesi, took place on Monday (29/4/2019).

deepening

Director General of Manpower Supervision and Occupational Safety and Health Development at the Ministry of Manpower, Haiyani Rumondang, stated that the Ministry of Manpower has received information regarding a workplace accident that occurred at PT GNI on Monday (26/6/2023). The Ministry of Manpower has requested the Central Sulawesi Manpower Office to conduct an in-depth investigation of the case and deploy labor inspectors immediately.

"We request that the cause of the work accident be determined so that it will not be repeated in the future. If there is potential danger, it should be identified beforehand. If potential danger is only discovered now, it must be immediately followed up," said Haiyani during her appearance after the launch of the Norma 100 platform, on Tuesday (27/6/2023) evening, in Jakarta."

Haiyani emphasized that the Ministry of Manpower cannot speculate on the causes of workplace accidents, including those that occurred at PT GNI. The ministry can only determine the cause after receiving evidence reported by labor supervisors.

"Another important thing is that workers who become victims of work accidents must immediately receive assistance. Their rights are fulfilled," said Haiyani.

The Head of Central Sulawesi Manpower Office, Arnold Firdaus, who was met in the same event, stated that his office was trying to quickly deploy a team for investigating the cause of the accident. The central and local governments were also actually urging PT GNI to comply with labor norms.

"We have a special team that has been deployed to conduct regular monitoring and evaluation since the emergence of work accident cases in PT GNI. The results are always reported to the Ministry of Manpower," he said.

PT GNI has taken a cooperative stance. The company is striving to make improvements, including in terms of labor norms and occupational safety and health.

Arnold stated that PT GNI has taken a cooperative stance. The company strives to make improvements, including in terms of labor norms and occupational safety and health (K3). The company's improvements are happening gradually.

"Therefore, when there was a work accident on Monday (26/6/2023), we want to know the cause. The labor supervisory team has been deployed," he said.

Also read: After the clash, 500 officers were on standby at the PT GNI Morowali Utara location

In Central Sulawesi, Arnold continued, there are dozens of smelters. This requires intensive monitoring of labor regulations and occupational safety and health (K3). However, the challenge he faces is the limited number of labor supervisors. The ideal number of labor supervisors in the province is 40 people, but currently there are only 17 people.

Jiangsu DeLong Nickel Industry Co Ltd (DeLong) owns 100 percent of PT GNI's shares. DeLong is the second largest stainless steel producer in China. In North Morowali, DeLong's GNI is a nickel smelter industry that employs 12,000 employees. About 10 percent of the total workers at GNI are currently workers from China.