Jayapura, Jubi – Around 20 thousands employees of oil palm plantation company, PT Perkebunan Nusantara (PTPN) II in Arso Tami, Keerom Regency have lost their jobs because the company is now being critical.
Deerd Tabuni, chairman of Commission II of Papua House of Representatives in charge of plantations and economy, said the company of PTPN II which operated in Arso since 1992, is now losing money. The cost of spending is not proportional to the production of palm oil. As a result, it has been almost two years since the company stay halt.
“PTPN II Arso has 20,000 employees, now they are losing their jobs, so they and their families depend on oil companies,” Deerd said last week.
According to him, there is a discourse of the State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) would be granted to Papua Provincial Government to be managed. Some time ago, the Commission II of the Papuan House met the deputy head of Keerom and related officials discussing the discourse.
“When it was agreed to form a joint team, this team will coordinate with the Minister of SOEs in Jakarta, so that PTPN II Arso will be granted to Papua Province to be managed,” he said.
If it granted, the management will be conducted by provincial government and 20 thousands employees can return to work. According to him, this step has been taken by West Papua province. The management of an oil palm company in Manokwari is handed over to West Papua Provincial Government and the result looks better.
“Our task is to form a joint team to find a way out, to communicate with the Minister of SOEs and Commission VI of the House of Representatives to grant the assets to the Papua Provincial Government,” he said.
Nikius Bugianggen, another member of Commission II of the Papua House, echoed the similar statement. He said, the house will make an effort to get the relevant ministries to issue a letter of recommendation for the acquisition of oil palm plantations which has been managed by PTPN II.
“We would like the SOEs minister hand over the management rights of PTPN II to the Provincial Government of Papua or Keerom Regency government,” he said. (*)
Source: tabloidjubi.com
Editor: Zely Ariane
