Social and labor problems of miners were discussed by the Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan Satybaldy Dauletalin during an online meeting with professional leaders of the Karaganda region.
Chairman of the «Kazugleprof» coal miners’ trade union Marat Mirgayazov, Chairman of the Trade Union Center of Karaganda region Bolat Zhumabekov, Chairman of the coal miners’ union «Korgau» Evgeny Buslaev, as well as chairmen of trade union committees of all eight mines of the Coal Department of JSC «ArcelorMittal Temirtau» informed about the most pressing issues and working conditions of miners Satybaldy Dauletalin during the meeting.
Discussing with colleagues the upcoming working trip to the Karaganda region, Satybaldy Dauletalin announced his intention to go down to the mine to personally talk with underground miners and get acquainted with their working conditions.
“It is very important for us to see the entire production process, get acquainted with the real working conditions of miners and know how their work is ensured from the point of view of safety,” stressed Satybaldy Dauletalin.
Evgeny Buslaev, Chairman of the coal miners’ union «Korgau», focused on issues requiring special attention of the Federation of Trade Unions.
According to him, the most pressing issue for mining collectives is the reduction of the retirement age.
“This issue is directly related, among other things, to the issue of occupational safety. We believe that a 60–year–old miner is more at risk than a young man,” Evgeny Buslaev said.
He also drew attention to the issues of updating mining equipment.
“The equipment in the mines is morally outdated and has worked out its regulatory deadline. In recent years, thanks to the efforts of trade unions, new equipment has been purchased, but this process must continue. We believe that the company should allocate funds and develop an investment program and a specific plan for the replacement of equipment,” the professional leader believes.
Continuing the topic of occupational safety, Evgeny Buslaev emphasized the motivation of employees to comply with labor protection requirements.
According to him, within the framework of the time-bonus system of remuneration, an agreement was reached between the trade union and the employer on awarding employees for the performance of certain indicators.
“We agreed that with a total premium of 35%, 20% should be paid for strict compliance with the requirements of industrial safety, and the remaining 15% was paid for the performance of production indicators. However, this agreement expired in June of this year and the managers did not agree to extend these terms for the next term. Thus, we were forced to return to the terms of the collective agreement, according to which, the premium for production performance is 25%, and the share for compliance with safety regulations was 10%,” the chairman of the coal miners’ union «Korgau» specified.
In addition, Evgeny Buslaev drew attention to the need to address the shortage of personnel, improve logistics and provide personal protective equipment.
The low level of supply was also noted by the chairman of the Trade Union Center of the Karaganda region, Bolat Zhumabekov.
According to him, during the trade union monitoring, it was revealed that of the 25 harvesters purchased, only 11 are operated in mines.
“Issues of mine supply are regularly discussed within the framework of social partnership, including at meetings with the participation of the akim of the region,” Bolat Zhumabekov said.
Marat Mirgayazov shared his opinion on solving the issue of labor safety, who believes that it is necessary to modernize the technology of coal mining.
“The coal mining industry uses old technologies. We do not know what processes are taking place in the mountain range. It is necessary to oblige the employer to develop new technologies and invest money in the prevention of accidents,” Marat Mirgayazov stressed.
First Deputy Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions Mukhtar Tinikeev asked about measures to degas mines.
He stressed that for the safety of workers, it is important to ensure the drilling of wells to remove gas from the mine.
After hearing the problematic issues, Satybaldy Dauletalin said that he intends to discuss ways to solve them with the company’s management during a visit to the Karaganda region.
“Modernization of production and introduction of new technologies is the most important issue facing all sectors of the country. Today, accidents are largely due to the fact that there is no comprehensive modernization,” he stressed.
It should be noted that at an expanded meeting of the Ministry of Labor of the Republic of Kazakhstan, held under the leadership of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions raised the issue of the need to develop and adopt a national program for the modernization of production.
Along with this, Satybaldy Dauletalin made a proposal to involve the scientific community in the study of world experience in preventing gas dynamic phenomena in the mine.
“The solution of these issues should be urgent. This is a matter of national security, and it should be done on a nationwide scale,” the Chairman of the FTURK believes.
Satybaldy Dauletalin also recalled the initiative of the Federation of Trade Unions on the legislative exclusion of mixed liability for industrial injuries.
“Today, the compensatory model of labor protection is used in the country. We are all convinced that this model has exhausted itself. The compensation paid to the families of the deceased workers will not make up for the loss of a loved one. The Federation of Trade Unions supports the risk-oriented approach developed in the Concept of Safe Work. Based on international experience, we have repeatedly made a proposal to move away from the mixed responsibility for industrial injuries. If an employee is injured at work, it is one hundred percent the fault of the employer,” the Head of the FTURK said.
During the upcoming visit to the region, the Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions also plans to discuss issues of reducing the retirement age of miners.
“In the Strategy of the Federation of Trade Unions, we have outlined our clear position on reducing the retirement age of miners. We intend to further promote our initiatives and openly raise issues with social partners in order to improve the quality of social and working life of miners,” assured Satybaldy Dauletalin.
Media Center of the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan