TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Former circus performers of Oriental Circus Indonesia (OCI) have denied receiving a Rp 150 million settlement from OCI to resolve allegations of exploitation and human rights violations. The legal representative of the former workers, Muhammad Soleh, stated that they firmly rejected the offer.
According to Soleh, it was impossible for the victims to accept Rp 150 million after experiencing violence while working at OCI. "It's not true. We firmly reject it," Soleh said in a text message on Wednesday night, May 7, 2025.
On the other hand, OCI lawyer Hamdan Zoelva claimed that four former circus performers have accepted the offer of a Rp 150 million settlement per person. "Yesterday, we offered that in Bandung, and now there are several people who have also received it. Four people," said Hamdan when met by reporters at the Ministry of Human Rights (HAM) office, South Jakarta, on Wednesday night.
He stated that the Rp 150 million settlement offer per person was extended by OCI to all former OCI workers who felt aggrieved. However, he could not confirm whether the four people who received the money were those who vocally accused OCI of exploitation and human rights violations.Hamdan said that with the Rp 150 million offer, OCI hopes to settle the case. "Let there be no more disputes like this," he said.
Previously, Hamdan revealed that OCI offered a settlement to the former circus performers when the two parties met in Bandung on Monday, May 5, 2025. They were mediated by West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi.
"We offered to give Rp 150 million to them yesterday. Why? Because in any case, they have contributed to the family. Secondly, we consider them as family," Hamdan said to reporters at his law office, Zoelva & Partners, South Jakarta, on Wednesday.
Furthermore, he said, OCI also offered assistance to the victims who wanted to start a business or cooperative. OCI is also willing to provide facilities and access for them to become suppliers to Taman Safari Indonesia.However, the victims rejected all offers.
"We offered the best as one big family. But what? They insisted and rejected it," said Hamdan.
Soleh stated that the appropriate amount of compensation for the victims is approximately Rp 700 million for each person. According to him, the amount is the result of calculations from the West Java Manpower Office.
The West Java Manpower Office calculated the amount based on the period the former performers worked at OCI, which was 15 years. "That calculation is from the Manpower Office, per person. If they were not paid for 15 years, that's why the total adds up to Rp 700 million," said Soleh.
In the end, the mediation that took place ended in disagreement. "Completely rejected by TSI. TSI wants it, well, it's all in, Rp 150 million," said Soleh.
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