New rule enacted: mine bosses must go down with the workers

[Enrique]

In China...

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iH-F1k23FIpy3AUATtWDJ-KPHpIAD9IMOFTG0?docId=D9IMOFTG0

BEIJING — Mine bosses in China who don't go underground with their workers will be severely punished under a new regulation that took effect Thursday in the latest bid to improve safety in the world's deadliest mines.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in July ordered mine managers to spend some time in the shafts along with their miners so that they would focus more safety, after a series of deadly mining accidents sparked public outrage.

But China National Radio quoted State Administration of Work Safety spokesman Huang Yi as saying there have been reports of mine bosses in some areas arranging to have employees take their place in the shafts, though he didn't give specifics or say where the alleged violations happened.

"We will strictly deal with any instance of this kind of activity," Huang was quoted as saying.

(...)

More than 2,600 people died in mining accidents in China last year, though deaths have decreased in recent years as the government closed many illegal mines.

But deaths jumped again in the first half of this year. Coal mine deaths through June were 1,261, up from 1,175 in the same period last year, the official Xinhua News Agency reported earlier.

[Brickbat]

1. I'd love it if we had that here. I'd love it if managers in a lot of blue-collar fields had to put

up with some of the crap workers have to deal with.

[WhiteTara]

2. can't you see that fat guy who is head of

Massey Energy being forced to go down in his mines and stay there every day!

[hobbit709]

3. I'd pay money to see that.

[blondeatlast]

5. I'd pay to, in fact. nt

[DCKit]

4. THAT'S the kind of communism/socialism the wealthy should be afriad of. n/t

[petronius]

6. That's a great idea. What they ought to do is add an office section to the

refuge chambers, and all managers have to do their days work there. Shouldn't be a problem, they can run phone and internet cables and have full access.

That way, the owners will have their own asses on the line, and they'll be darn sure the refuge chambers are fully-functioning and top-of-the-line...