Workplace risks loom over Indonesia’s Chinese-funded nickel and steel smelters

April 16, 2025

The article details workplace safety issues at the Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP), one of the world's largest nickel processing centers, which is primarily backed by Chinese metal conglomerate Tsingshan Holding Group. Multiple fatal accidents have occurred at IMIP, including a major explosion in December 2023 that killed 21 workers and a more recent incident in October 2024 that claimed another life. Labor unions and human rights organizations have documented systematic safety violations, language barriers between Chinese and Indonesian workers, excessive working hours, and inadequate protective equipment at the industrial park that employs over 84,000 workers.

Who is affected

Indonesian and Chinese workers at IMIP, where accidents are reportedly an "almost daily occurrence"
Local residents of Bahodopi, suffering from overcrowded housing and air pollution-related lung diseases
The families of the deceased workers, including Laode Gunawan and the 21 workers killed in December 2023
Communities in Central Sulawesi experiencing environmental impacts from the industrial development
Chinese workers subject to employment malpractices such as passport confiscation, withheld payments, and restriction of movement

What action is being taken

Indonesian workers are protesting for safer working conditions, with approximately 300 workers demonstrating after the December 2023 accident
The Morowali Industrial Workers Union (SPIM-KPBI) is condemning Tsingshan for negligence toward worker safety
The Mining and Energy Federation of the Confederation of All Indonesian Trade Unions is conducting surveys on working conditions at IMIP
Non-profit organization China Labor Watch is documenting deaths and injuries at Chinese-backed nickel plants in Indonesia
Chinese workers are filing complaints to Indonesia's human rights commission regarding unsafe working conditions

Why it matters

Indonesia has become the world's largest nickel producer, accounting for 51% of global output, making these safety issues significant to the global supply chain
The nickel is crucial for China's growing electric vehicle manufacturing industry and the global energy transition
Systematic workplace hazards affect over 84,000 Indonesian and Chinese workers employed at IMIP
Environmental concerns including deforestation, pollution, and waste management impact the surrounding communities
The rapid population growth in Bahodopi (from 7,517 residents in 2017 to around 50,000 by 2022) has created infrastructure challenges
The Indonesian government's "weak oversight" allows these safety issues to persist despite recurring accidents

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: Global Voices