Deputy Minister: miners' benefits a relic of Socialism
PR dla Zagranicy
Roberto Galea
11.02.2015 08:37
The crisis in state-controlled Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa (JSW) should be resolved without government intervention, said Deputy Economy Minister Tomasz Tomczykiewicz.
A sign reads "hunger Strike" outside a building where dozens of JSW workers are protesting. Photo: PAP/Andrzej Grygiel
The workers at JSW are on an indefinite strike, and are calling for the stepping down of company president Jarosław Zagórowski.
Photo: JSW Investor Report
Miners at two sites have remained underground, while several others have gone on a hunger strike, drinking only water and juices. They have announced that they will only call off the strike following Zagórowski's resignation.
“The [financial] condition of the company is more important than who manages it,” Tomczykiewicz told Polish Radio.
He added that everyone has their own role, and that company presidents are appointed and dismissed by the supervisory board, not the unions.
“I cannot imagine that the government or the board of directors influenced the selection of the head of the trade unions,” the deputy minister said.
Tomczykiewicz added that the privileges of the mining industry are a relic of Poland's Socialist past, “a gift” from [former Secretary of the Polish United Workers' Party] General Jaruzelski.
Miners are among the highest recipients of state aid including higher-than average pensions, bonuses and extra holidays. (rg)
Source: Polish Radio