Community Welfare

We continue to maintain a harmonious relationship with the local communities in and around our concession. For PT BIA, our employees and the local communities are considered to be our equal partners. Due to the rural nature of the community, poverty can be quite high, and so we hope that through the development of education, healthcare, and economic infrastructure we can alleviate this poverty and increase the living standards of the local communities.

We recognize that our operations have an impact, be it directly or indirectly, on the surrounding communities as well as on the families of our employees.

It is the Company’s responsibility to maintain the wellbeing of those it considers to be under its stewardship and it is due to this fact that we have launched a number of CSR programs.

Education Program

  • PT BIA provides educational opportunities for the children of its employees and those hailing from the surrounding local communities of Merauke. We provide daycare services and kindergarten education, elementary level education, and secondary education (middle school). The Company has built three schools, one in each estate.
  • In addition to the provision of quality educational facilities, PT BIA also provides scholarships for students heading for high school and for tertiary education as well.

Healthcare Program

  • Our healthcare programs are readily available for our employees and the local communities to access. The healthcare programs provided include the development of clinics, Posyandu, and ambulances.
  • Through our clinics and posyandu we provided medical checkups, medicinal treatment, socialization and education on healthcare for both patients and residents, and the prioritization of women and children’s health.
  • PT BIA’s healthcare services are open to all with a special prioritization towards the poor and economically disadvantaged.

Economic Initiatives

  • Operating in a developing region, we recognize that PT BIA has a responsibility to look after the families of its employees and to alleviate the poor local communities of Merauke through the development of private infrastructure and economic opportunities. The company has constructed roads, housing, places of worship, communal halls and many others to fulfill the infrastructural needs of its employees, their families, and the local communities.
  • In addition to basic living infrastructure, the Company has also developed in various economic programs for the local communities to assist in improving their livelihoods. Noken is a well known traditional woven bag native to Papua and are hand-woven by Papuan women. PT BIA has assisted in promoting the the Noken outside of Papua into other regions of Indonesia via displays in Jakarta for increased exposure not just domestically but internationally as well. The Noken was well receievd with many orders being placed and all proceeds being given to the Papuan women and their families who made them.
PROGRESS
2020.02.12PT BIA received complaints from the Bentala Pusaka Foundation regarding the demolition of a sacred site of Yawantop, the Indigenous peoples of Malind and Wambon Tekamerop. Allegedely, the Company had destroyed sacred site used to perform traditional rituals. A field verification was immediately carried out and it was discovered that the area in question was a category HCV 4 area which according to the testimony of the Basik-Basik clan, was a natural well of 0.2 ha
2020.02.20Public consultations related to the clarification and rehabilitation of high conservation value areas have been carried out with LMA, indigenous communties, and local NGOs with the consultations also being attended by local governments bringing the total attendance to 66 people.
2020.03..12A traditional ceremony has been held between the clans involved, the company and also the local community. Followed by rehabilitation (replanting) with the plants requested by the clan on April 4, 2020.
2020.04.04At present, the Case has been listed as Resolved and continues to be monitored by the HCV team who also collaborates with the VMT (Village Monitoring Team) that has been formed comprised of members of the indigenous community itself.
PROGRESS
2019.12.19Four civic groups (KTNC Watch, PUSAKA, SKP-KAMe and WALHI Papua) submitted a complaint to KNCP regarding the development and production of palm oil.
2020.2.12The company submitted their response to the complaint
2020.3.9Complainant submitted an additional statement
2020.3.17KNCP Initial Assessment results and mediation process is announced
2020.8.201st Mediation Committee meeting (explained implementation of NDPE policy, etc.)
2020.9.18Initial assessment completed
2020.12.22nd Mediation Committee meeting (provided further explanations on implementation of NDPE policy and other inquiries)
2020.12.16Parties agreed to further mediation procedures, extension of deadline
2021.6.233rd Mediation Committee meeting → an agreement was not reached
2021,11Iin response to KNCP request, the company submits its opinion on the KNCP Final Statement draft
2022.1.18KNCP Final Statement is announced
The KNCP published its Final Statement on January 13, 2022. The statement indicated that KNCP did not accept the complainants' claim, but recommended that POSCO International should continue with its current efforts to implement active environmental and social policies and communicate with stakeholders in the future. In response, POSCO International submitted a performance report to KNCP on July 29, 2022, detailing the progress of their ESG activities, including the implementation of the NDPE policy in accordance with the recommendations.