Poland looks to restructure mining industry

The jobs of thousands of miners in Poland are at risk following the expiration of a government bill that protects the mining industry from bankruptcy.

The government wants to restructure the industry and close several mines, and to keep that from happening, mining unions are threatening widespread disruption.

With Poland on the verge of membership of the European Union, the government is under increasing pressure to reform its industries.

Despite the expiry of the bill, the government says it will continue to prevent bankruptcies during the next few months of negotiations with miners.

Many of Poland’s mines are inherited from the communist era and are outdated and inefficient. The industry is one of the largest in Europe and employs 140,000 people.

The government says if it does not close seven pits and sack 35,000 miners, many more jobs will be lost as a result of competition from other countries.

Early in December 2002, miners voted overwhelmingly for industrial action. The miners have a strong reputation for militancy and have taken to the streets of Warsaw, confronting riot police with pick-axes.

Meanwhile union leaders are negotiating with the government.