New Regulations For Miners On The Way

Justice and Development Party Group Deputy Chairman Nurettin Canikli announced they have added on their agenda a new series of reforms about mining following the workplace murder in Soma that killed 301 workers.

Upon journalists’ questions Canikli elaborated the bill, expected to pass before the parliament goes on vacation as follows: 

* Subcontractors will be forbidden from working in mines privatized with the royalty system.

* Under ground working hours in the mines will be lowered from 8 hours to 6 hours. 

* The retirement age will be lowered from 55 to 50.

* Miners working in the Soma mine where the accident took place will be paid double, receiving both an Unemployment Fund and a salary from the enterprise. This will go on for as long as the mine remains closed. 

* The loved ones of the deceased will receive a salary, and provided work opportunities. There will be a right to compensation even if someone worked for the mines for one day only. 

* All technological advances including robots will be incorporated in the system. The use thereof will be mandatory. The government will be responsible for the compensation payments. 

* People working under ground will receive 6 salaries in bonuses every year. 

* The subcontracting system will be completely abolished aside from in assistant services in the government sector and in technological fields. Nowhere aside from in these fields will be able to employ subcontractors. The definition of subcontractor will change depending on the institution. The government will hire people working in the subcontracting system in these fields using the common method with an entrance exam after the law is passed. Meanwhile, public institutions will decide themselves when they need to hire new personnel and do so using the common methods. (NV/PU/BM)

* This piece was compiled from newspapers. 

* Click here to read the article in Turkish.