Central Sulawesi Labor Inspectorate Investigates Death of PT ITSS Worker

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Dedy Kurniawan, head of media relations at PT IMIP, stated that the Central Sulawesi Directorate General of Labor Inspection (Binwasnaker) has launched an investigation into a fatal workplace accident at PT Indonesia Tsingshan Stainless Steel (), an industrial site in Morowali, Central Sulawesi. PT ITSS operates as a tenant within the PT Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP).

A worker identified as EJ was killed on Wednesday night, February 5, 2025, at around 9:00 p.m. after being crushed by a steel coil while performing welding work.

The investigation is being carried out in collaboration with PT IMIP’s workplace safety team. "We are fully cooperating with the Binwasnaker team to determine the exact cause," Dedy said when contacted on Friday, February 7.

According to Dedy, the company had already conducted an internal investigation. Preliminary findings indicate that the accident occurred while EJ and a colleague were working to separate and lift steel coils measuring 94x4 millimeters. There were four coils to be handled. One worker had completed work on the fourth coil, while EJ and his colleague continued working on the remaining ones.

During the process, EJ's colleague stepped away to perform prayers, leaving EJ to continue working alone. While attempting to cut a trapped steel plate with his back turned to the third coil, the welded section suddenly gave way, causing the steel coil to fall and crush him.

EJ’s body was returned to his hometown on Wednesday night. PT ITSS management has assured that it will comply with all regulations and guarantee the rights of the victim and his family.

Fadil, head of the Local Work Unit (PUK) of the Morowali Industrial Workers' Union (SPIM) at ITSS, accused the company of negligence in workplace safety protocols. He called for legal action against PT ITSS executives, citing repeated fatal incidents. "We demand that PT ITSS management be prosecuted and jailed for this workplace death in the steel production department," Fadil said in an official statement on Thursday, February 6.

A series of workplace accidents at PT ITSS has drawn criticism from s. Komang Jordi Segara, daily chief executive of SPIM under the Confederation of Indonesian Workers' Unions (KPBI), condemned the company’s safety standards, calling them inhumane. "The safety system at PT ITSS is utterly inhumane, as it continues to claim workers' lives, especially during National Workplace Safety Month," he said.

Beyond concerns over workplace safety, PT ITSS management has also been accused of union busting. Komang claimed that the company had unlawfully terminated Anwar, the treasurer of PUK SPIM PT ITSS.

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