Trade unionists from mining and energy sectors visited our inspection

On 31 January 2008 at the Chief Labour Inspectorate, representatives of the National Labour Inspectorate’s management, with the head of NLI Bożena Borys-Szopa, met with the Council members of the National Secretariat for Mining and Energy Sectors of the NSZZ “Solidarność” trade union, under the chairmanship of Kazimierz Grajcarek. The discussion focused on the labour law issues which are of concern to trade unionists belonging to nine Branch Sections of the Secretariat.

While referring to major hazards, which exist in the mining and energy sectors, Bożena Borys-Szopa emphasised that the labour inspectorate attaches particular importance to inspection and supervision of work establishments in the said branches of economy. NLI reacts very consistently to all irregularities identified in the said branches. She reminded all that our inspection had not waited passively before the tragedy in “Halemba” coal mine, but had carried out inspections in the preceding period, not only in coal mines, but first of all in companies working for the mining sector. On the basis of the aforementioned inspections, a year and a half before the catastrophe in “Halemba” coal mine the Labour Protection Council issued its position which pointed out hazards existing in the said companies and emphasized an urgent need to eliminate them. Sadly, none of the addressees of the position, especially competent services and ministries, has taken its recommendations seriously.

Bożena Borys-Szopa informed the participants about the National Labour Inspectorate’s report, which had been presented to the Labour Protection Council a few days earlier. The report summed up the results of inspections which were conducted in the last two years and focused on the compliance with labour law provisions, including those on work safety and health, in underground mining establishments and companies which provide services to coal mines (during the meeting at the Chief Labour Inspectorate, the most important findings of the report were presented by Leszek Zając, Director of Occupational Hazards Department). Our inspections, among others, disclosed considerable shortages in the number of mining workers, which leads to exceeding permissible working time norms, employment of young workers in companies working for the mining sector – workers who are often completely unprepared for the profession and therefore unaware of the related hazards. On the other hand, a positive phenomenon is that the past year has been the first one when during inspections in mining establishments labour inspectors did not identify cases of illegal employment or employment on the basis of contracts other than employment contracts.

– Yet, there are also other, very serious irregularities – said the head of labour inspection. – If a miner does not receive appropriate training and medical check-ups, is not equipped with adequate protective and work clothing, if he does not undergo relevant induction training for the profession, then he is not prepared for doing such work. This is so because a miner, just like a driver, creates a risk not only for himself, but for others as well. He is responsible both for himself, and often for the whole shift working together with him.

Chairman of the National Secretariat for Mining and Energy Sectors of the NSZZ “Solidarność” trade union, Kazimierz Grajcarek mentioned that cooperation between NLI and trade unionists from the hard coal mining sector is exemplary. He expressed the wish to develop equally intensive cooperation, in order to solve problems of employees, between our inspection and other sectors of mining, especially of zinc and lead ores, salt, sulphur, brown coal, and energy sector. He suggested the option that chairmen of sections associated within the National Secretariat contact District Labour Inspectorates directly.

Roman Giedrojć, Deputy Chief Labour Inspector, informed everyone that our inspection has specialists – coordinators for the energy sector in each District Labour Inspectorate. Moreover, our inspection’s management considers the possibility of establishing a separate specialist section within the NLI’s structure, which would deal with such issues. He assured the audience that the best labour inspectors are selected for inspecting and supervising the branches represented in the Secretariat, as these sectors of economy are typified by particularly serious hazards.

During the discussion, our guests from trade unions shared their opinions on problems related to labour law which most often arise in the branches they represent. They confirmed the existence of most frequent irregularities identified by labour inspectors during inspection visits to mining establishments. They also expressed their recognition for the cooperation with NLI. It was referred to as exemplary by, among others, vice-chairman of the National Section for Brown Coal Mining, Wojciech Ilnicki.

Deputy Chief Labour Inspector Anna Tomczyk also took part in the meeting with trade unionists.