The Wire

The Freeport gold and copper mine in West Papua has just experienced record profits, much to the delight of its shareholders. But around 3000 indigenous West Papuans who work at the mine are less than happy. In the third day of a huge protest being staged at the mine, workers are demanding pay rises and better conditions to match their Indonesian counterparts. Hans Magar is participating in the protest. He explains what he believes Freeport is robbing the Papuan workers of. Mathew Jamieson is the Secretary of the Institute of Papuan Advocacy and Human Rights. He says chances of successful results in the process are remote.