Newmont and Newcrest Face Scrutiny Over Gosowong Workers as Supreme Court Ruling Goes Unenforced

Public policy expert Trubus Rahardiansah of Trisakti University reinforced this position.

"If rulings from the lower court all the way up to the Supreme Court are consistent, then they must be implemented," he said.

"Foreign investors operating in Indonesia are obliged to comply with Indonesian law. This is not discretionary."

Rusli Gailea, Chairman of the SPSI Labor Union at PT NHM, said the outstanding severance total is estimated at over Rp100 billion, owed to workers who, in many cases, dedicated more than 20 years to the mine.

"We have pursued every legal avenue available to us, including cassation at the Supreme Court level," Rusli said.

"The ruling exists. The obligation exists. And yet the payments remain unpaid."

The dispute traces back to the 2020 ownership change at PT NHM, which followed Newcrest Mining's divestment from the Gosowong operation.

Under the 2018–2020 Collective Labor Agreement in force at the time, any change of ownership carried an explicit obligation to settle workers' rights, including severance compensation. Workers say that obligation was never fulfilled.

Newmont's public statement emphasized its "commitment to responsible business practices, compliance with applicable laws and agreements, and fair treatment of workers across all operations", while simultaneously declining to address the one piece of Indonesian law most directly relevant to this dispute: the Supreme Court's cassation ruling.

The company also stated it "will continue to pursue appropriate measures to protect its position and reputation," a formulation that workers' advocates say is directed inward rather than toward resolution.

The former workers are now calling on the Indonesian government, including relevant ministries and enforcement bodies, to compel compliance with the court's ruling.

"If even a Supreme Court ruling can be ignored, then where is legal certainty for ordinary people?" said one workers' representative.

Perokok Berat Berisiko Tinggi Terinfeksi Virus HMPV, Ini Penjelasan Pakar

Menkes Budi Gunadi Sadikin Konfirmasi HMPV Masuk Indonesia, Masyarakat Diminta Tidak Panik

Disparpora Humbahas Gelar Pelatihan dan Pengelolaan Desa Wisata

5 Dokter di India Ancam Bunuh Diri Massal,Lingkungan RS Tak Manusiawi