World Federation of Trade Unions
The World Federation of Trade Unions, on behalf of its 105 million workers in 133 countries of the 5 continents expresses its deep grief on the fatal accident that took place in the Listvyazhnaya mine, in the Kemerovo region 3,500km east of Moscow, on Thursday. According to the authorities, while 285 people were working inside the miner, coal dust in a ventilation shaft caught fire, filling it with smoke. At least 57 workers were killed, including rescue workers, dozens are hospitalized for injuries, and smoke inhalation, and some of them are in critical condition. Three people, including the director of the Listvyazhnaya mine and his deputy, had been arrested on suspicion of violating industrial safety rules. This new accident remarks the dangerous working conditions in mines and the lack of effective health and safety measures despite the related international conventions. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims; we express our sincere condolences to them and we wish a quick recovery to the injured workers. The WFTU reiterates its stable position for urgent determination and implementation of adequate high standard of safety measures in all the mines and workplaces. We demand investigation of the accident conditions and exemplary punishment to the responsible ones as well as compensation to the injured workers and the families of the victims. The Secretariat
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WFTU statement on the fatal mine accident in Kemerovo, Russia