Bauxite workers without salaries
Quoting the Island Sun newspaper – 5 March 2019
“WORKERS of bauxite mining in Rennell Islands in Renbel province have not received their salaries in the last two fortnights.
“This came after MV Solomon Traders had wrecked on Kangava Bay on February 4, which resulted in a oil spills and a huge man-made disaster on the island.
“It had completed loading of bauxites in two of the four hatches before disaster struck the ship.
“Australia Government confirmed about 80 tonnes oil had already spilled out in the ocean.
“Bintang Mining Solomon Islands is operating the mining on four camps on the island.
“One of the angry workers told Island Sun in Tingoa on Sunday that they are now going into the third fortnight this week.
“Most of us are in need of money after we have not received our salaries in the last two fortnights to feed our families.
“We are running out of patience now because we need money to repay our borrowings from shops and betel-nuts stalls,” he said.
Another worker said his last option is to halt the operation on his land until the company pays their outstanding salaries.
“I heard the non-payment of salaries was blamed on the oil spills in Kangava Bay.
“I think the incident has nothing to do with our salaries because the company should have a separate budget to continue pay workers’ salaries,” he said.
“Another worker said the company informed them yesterday that their outstanding salaries will be paid this week.”
Copyright @ 2019, Island Sun newspaper
