Polish miners

Poland’s government has agreed a timetable with miners’ unions for the country’s exit from coal production, following underground protests by miners in September (see Labour Research, October 2020, page 8).

Under the agreement, hard coal production will end in 2049 and those currently working in the industry will be guaranteed employment or adequate social payment until retirement.

However, the agreement will only come into force if the European Commission approves the government subsidies that the loss-making coal industry needs to continue to 2049. And, with the Polish plans conflicting with the EU’s target of carbon neutrality by 2050, this is by no means certain.

However, Artur Sobon, the minister who signed the deal, said it offered the best chance for an effective exit from coal.