Pres. Komorowski signs update to mining bill
PR dla Zagranicy
John Beauchamp
26.01.2015 12:38
President Bronisław Komorowski signed a controversial update to Poland’s coal mining bill, Monday, which greenlights the government’s restructuring plans for the country’s struggling mining industry.
Photo: PAP/Jacek Bednarczyk
“The update calls for agreement between the government and trade unions,” Komorowski underlined on signing the bill.
While Poland’s head of state said that the restructuring process will be a challenge for everyone incolved in the country’s coal mining industry, he raised hopes that the Tripartite Committee – which brings together trade union, government and employers’ representatives – would reconvene.
The Committee has not met since 2013, although Labour Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz is expected to meet union and employer representatives on Monday.
The updated mining bill does not call for the shutting down of four mines belonging to Kompania Węglowa. Instead, the mines are to become part of a company set up for their restructuring or will be split up.
Miners will also receive a greater benefits plan than had originally been laid out in the government plans.
Originally, the rescue package for Kompania Węglowa presented on 7 January foresaw the sale of nine out of 14 mines belonging to Kompania Węglowa to a specially created subsidiary of Węglokoks.
Thousands of miners went on strike earlier in January over initial plans to close down non-profit making mines. (jb)
Source: IAR/PAP