PRIVATE TIN MINING COMPANIES URGED TO PAY COMPENSATION TO FISHERMEN

Karimun, Riau Island, April 26 (ANTARA)- Mining affairs commission of the Karimun legislative assembly (DPRD) M. Yusuf Sirat has urged private tin mining companies operating in Karimun waters to immediately pay a compensation to the fishermen for the impact of exploitation operations they had caused.

"A commitment to immediate compensation payment had already been expressed by the companies' representatives during a hearing between their management and the fishermen at the DPRD building in Karimun, he said in Tebing on Sunday.
Yusuf Sirat admitted he himself did not know why the companies had not fulfilled their commitment, although they have been operating for almost one year now.
"It is feared that, unless the companies meet their commitment, the peaceful situation in Karimuna would be disrupted," he pointed out.
A similar statement was also made by chairman of the Indonesian Fishermen's Association (HNSI), Karimun regency chapter, Zainuddin Ahmad, that the mining concessions of the private tin mining companies are located in the local traditional fishermen's fishing grounds.
"It is therefore only reasonable that the fishermen deserve a compensation for the use of their fishing grounds," he pointed out.