China Labor Watch reports systemic labour rights violations among overseas Chinese workers in Indonesia's nickel projects
Summary
Date Reported: 22 Dec 2023
Location: China
Companies
Jiangsu Delong Nickel Industry Company Ltd. - Other Value Chain Entity , PT Virtue Dragon Nickel Industry (VDNI) - EmployerAffected
Total individuals affected: Number unknown
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - China , Metals & steel , Gender not reported )Issues
Access to Information , Contract SubstitutionResponse
Response sought: Yes, by Resource Centre
Story containing response: (Find out more)
Action taken: The companies did not respond to the Resource Centre's request for comment.
Source type: News outlet
Summary
Date Reported: 22 Dec 2023
Location: Indonesia
Companies
Tsingtuo Group - EmployerOther
Not Reported ( Recruitment agencies ) - EmployerAffected
Total individuals affected: Number unknown
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - China , Metals & steel , Men , Unknown migration status )Issues
Precarious/Unsuitable Living Conditions , Contract Substitution , Access to InformationResponse
Response sought: Yes, by Resource Centre
Story containing response: (Find out more)
Action taken: The companies did not respond.
Source type: NGO
Summary
Date Reported: 22 Dec 2023
Location: Indonesia
Other
Not Reported ( Metals & steel ) - EmployerAffected
Total individuals affected: Number unknown
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - China , Metals & steel , Men , Unknown migration status )Issues
Freedom of Expression , Ownership of Property & Possessions , IntimidationResponse
Response sought: No
Source type: NGO
Summary
Date Reported: 22 Dec 2023
Location: Indonesia
Companies
PT Virtue Dragon Nickel Industry (VDNI) - EmployerAffected
Total individuals affected: 4
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - China , Metals & steel , Men , Unknown migration status )Issues
Intimidation , Retention of identity documents , Contract Substitution , Denial of leaveResponse
Response sought: Yes, by Resource Centre
Story containing response: (Find out more)
Action taken: The companies did not respond.
Source type: NGO
Business & Human Rights Resource Centre
"Compounding Vulnerabilities: Chinese Workers In Indonesia" 22 December 2023
This report documents the findings of CLW’s investigation in China’s Belt and Road nickel production projects in Indonesia. It aims to amplify Chinese overseas workers’ voices through diving into their lived experiences in some of the largest nickel production industrial projects in Indonesia backed under ill-regulated Chinese capital...
CLW’s on-site research and correspondence with Chinese workers from 2021 to 2023 has found various egregious labor malpractices which were systematic and widespread:
- Passport confiscation
- Poor contracting practices
- Withholding payment of wages
- Workplace injuries and poor occupational safety
- Absence of Indonesian work permit
- Restriction of movement
- Physical violence against the breaching of workplace rules and regulations.
...some of these issues–such as the restriction of movement, the lack of work permit, and illegal contracting practices–vary before and after the pandemic or by employers. The report highlights how these practices systematically disempower workers, erode their rights and freedom, and transfer companies’ business risks to the bearing of individual workers...