China holds the dubious distinction of one of the worst safety records in coal mining, with nearly 6,000 miners killed on the job just last year.
The figures, publicized in the China Labour Bulletin, contrast sharply with those of industrialized countries such as the United States. The recents deaths of 12 coal miners in West Virginia, had they occurred in China, would have been almost routine events.
The Chinese State Administration of Work Safety announced Jan. 4 that 5,986 coal miners died in 3,341 accidents in 2005 -- a decrease of 8.2 percent compared with 2004, the China Labour Bulletin reported.
While the government has made some progress in reducing accidents, it continues to repress worker organizations that could play an important role in improving safety, the China Labour Bulletin said.
"China Labour Bulletin once again calls on the Chinese authorities to reform the current work safety supervision system and allow miners themselves to organize their own work safety teams and take part directly in safety supervision," the publication said.
For more information
Read the complete report on the website of the China Labour Bulletin.
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China holds the dubious distinction of one of the worst safety records in coal mining, with nearly 6,000 miners killed on the job just last year.
The figures, publicized in the China Labour Bulletin, contrast sharply with those of industrialized countries such as the United States. The recents deaths of 12 coal miners in West Virginia, had they occurred in China, would have been almost routine events.
The Chinese State Administration of Work Safety announced Jan. 4 that 5,986 coal miners died in 3,341 accidents in 2005 — a decrease of 8.2 percent compared with 2004, the China Labour Bulletin reported.
While the government has made some progress in reducing accidents, it continues to repress worker organizations that could play an important role in improving safety, the China Labour Bulletin said.
“China Labour Bulletin once again calls on the Chinese authorities to reform the current work safety supervision system and allow miners themselves to organize their own work safety teams and take part directly in safety supervision,” the publication said.
For more information
Read the complete report on the website of the China Labour Bulletin.