8 February, 2010
On 21–22 January in Kiev, Ukraine, ICEM together with the Freidrich Ebert Foundation (FES) organized an international conference on “Restructuring of Mining and Energy Companies in the Countries of Central and Eastern Europe.” Present were trade union representatives from Bulgaria, Belarus, Hungary, Serbia, Poland, Russia, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan, as well as specialists and experts from the ILO, and the Independent Institute on Coal Markets.
Industry-wide restructuring and privatisation is occurring throughout the region, with the process at different stages in different countries. There are major concerns over jobs. Experiences differ, from negative ones in Ukraine, to some of the best experiences reported in Uzbekistan. In Belarus, restructuring has not occurred to the same extent as in other CIS states.
ICEM Vice-President Ivan Makohnachuk chairs the meeting
The presentation by Valery Zadenvarg, of the Independent Institute of Coal Markets, addressed the three stages of restructuring in Russia that have resulted in the closing of unprofitable mines and a decrease in coal mining jobs from 800,000 to 180,000. Currently there are 23 more mines in Russia that are slated for closing due to an inability to compete in the marketplace. The presentation by Nikolay Rogovsky of the ILO addressed socially-sensitive restructuring.
The meeting heard that although Poland has ratified ILO 176, the Safety and Health in Mines Convention, it is not being implemented in the country, which is evident by continued coal mine disasters.
The seminar concluded with a request by the affiliates to hold another such seminar in 2011 to gain more knowledge on the experience of restructuring in Western Europe, and on lessons to be learned from ICEM affiliates in those countries.