A group of coal miners in Siberia’s Kemerovo region has announced that they are starting a hunger strike due to their employer’s failure to pay them millions of rubles in wages. At least 12 workers have signed a petition declaring the strike, which will continue until they receive 46 million rubles in unpaid wages. The regional Investigative Committee has launched an investigation into the Inskaya mining company for not paying nearly 400 workers between July and October. The striking miners have set up tents outside the company’s headquarters to protest the unpaid wages.
The Kemerovo region’s Coal Mining Ministry has stated that Inskaya’s owner, Denis Nemykin, has agreed to start paying off some of the overdue wages by the first week of November. The company reportedly owes 1.2 billion rubles in both salaries and taxes. Nemykin has promised to pay off part of the wages within a week if the workers agree to extract the remaining 300,000 metric tons of coal from the mine. However, the miners have raised concerns about the critical state of disrepair of their equipment and fear for their safety if they continue working under these conditions.
During discussions between Nemykin and the miners, one of the striking workers was reported as saying, “You’re pushing us down a dilapidated mine shaft to our deaths.” This statement reflects the miners’ concerns about their safety and well-being while working in the mine. Regional prosecutors have previously helped the miners receive over 100 million rubles in unpaid wages from the Inskaya coal mine. The mine is located around 3,500 kilometers east of Moscow, making it difficult for the miners to access the necessary support and resources to address their wage concerns.
The hunger strike initiated by the coal miners highlights the dire situation they are facing as a result of the unpaid wages by the Inskaya mining company. The miners’ decision to protest in this manner reflects their desperation to receive the money owed to them for their work. The investigation by the Investigative Committee into the company’s failure to pay its workers indicates the seriousness of the situation and the need for urgent action to address the outstanding wages. The miners’ willingness to go on hunger strike demonstrates their determination to fight for their rights and demand fair treatment from their employer.
The standoff between the striking miners and the Inskaya mining company underscores the challenges faced by workers in the coal mining industry in Russia. The miners’ struggle to receive their wages, which are essential for their livelihoods, sheds light on the systemic issues within the industry. The company’s promise to pay off some of the wages if the workers continue working in unsafe conditions further highlights the exploitation of labor in the mining sector. The regional authorities’ involvement in helping the miners receive some of their unpaid wages shows the importance of government intervention to protect the rights of workers in the face of unscrupulous employers.
Overall, the situation facing the coal miners in Siberia’s Kemerovo region is emblematic of the broader challenges confronted by workers in industries where labor exploitation is prevalent. The hunger strike launched by the miners is a desperate plea for justice and fair treatment from their employer, and their struggle reflects the larger issue of wage theft and unsafe working conditions faced by workers around the world. It is essential for government authorities and labor unions to support the miners in their fight for fair wages and safe working conditions, as their plight represents the need for greater protections for all workers in high-risk industries like coal mining. Only through collective action and advocacy can workers ensure their rights are upheld and their voices are heard.
