02:57Poland: 'The European Commission must be stopped' - Hundreds of miners protest against EU methane laws in Warsaw
Hundreds of coal miners gathered in Warsaw on Friday to protest against an EU directive aimed at reducing carbon emissions, which they claim will threaten their livelihoods.
Footage shows the miners angrily chanting in red vests, lighting flares and waving flags bearing logos of the trade union ‘Solidarnosc’.
Around 300 miners reportedly joined the rally arguing that recent climate recommendations for the 27 EU members from 2027 would force the closure of most of the country's mines. This would result in the loss of tens of thousands of jobs.
"This madness of the PiS government (Law and Justice party) and the European Commission must be stopped, which is leading to the catastrophe of the Polish mining industry”, said Polish MP Robert Winnicki.
“The European Union wants to close most of the Polish mines not within 25 years, but within four years. 80-90 per cent of mines are to be closed in the next 4 years if the methane regulation, also known in the media as the methane directive, comes into force,” he added.
Around 77,000 people reportedly work in the coal mines of Poland’s Silesia region.
02:57Hundreds of coal miners gathered in Warsaw on Friday to protest against an EU directive aimed at reducing carbon emissions, which they claim will threaten their livelihoods.
Footage shows the miners angrily chanting in red vests, lighting flares and waving flags bearing logos of the trade union ‘Solidarnosc’.
Around 300 miners reportedly joined the rally arguing that recent climate recommendations for the 27 EU members from 2027 would force the closure of most of the country's mines. This would result in the loss of tens of thousands of jobs.
"This madness of the PiS government (Law and Justice party) and the European Commission must be stopped, which is leading to the catastrophe of the Polish mining industry”, said Polish MP Robert Winnicki.
“The European Union wants to close most of the Polish mines not within 25 years, but within four years. 80-90 per cent of mines are to be closed in the next 4 years if the methane regulation, also known in the media as the methane directive, comes into force,” he added.
Around 77,000 people reportedly work in the coal mines of Poland’s Silesia region.