EPMU Strikes Hard on Mine Safety at Home, and in China

ICEM affiliate Engineering, Printing, and Manufacturing Union (EPMU) in New Zealand has voiced its sentiments concerning mine safety on two fronts: at home and in China. The country’s largest labour union, which represents nearly all of New Zealand’s coal miners, issued a statement calling on mandatory mine check inspectors to be included in any new mining regulations.

The EPMU’s call follows news in New Zealand that the surviving spouse of a miner killed inside a shaft in 2006 plans to campaign for changes to New Zealand’s mining regulations.

EPMU National Secretary Andrew Little said dedicated mine check inspectors would be a major improvement in mine safety. “Having someone on-site whose express purpose is to check worksite safety, equipment standards, and make sure that the right procedures are followed, and who has the confidence of miners, would make mining that much safer,” said Little.

“Mining remains one of the most dangerous jobs, and it is about teamwork and trust,” he added.

EPMU National Secretary Andrew Little

The EPMU also struck out at New Zealand’s National Party for its cynical attack on Kiwi efforts to bring better safety techniques to China’s mines. Leaders of the political party were sharply critical of a government-funded initiative to assist the Chinese. The initiative had the involvement of the EPMU, New Zealand’s Council of Trade Unions, and state-run Solid Energy.

“The EPMU helps Chinese miners because we value human life,” said Little in a statement. “National’s criticism of this (programme) is astonishingly short-sighted and petty, and makes clear where their party stands on decent labour standards – they don’t care.”