[Summary translation prepared by Business & Huamn Rights Resource Centre]

Level of respect: Why Kryvbas miners protesting underground, 18 September 2020

Miners' protests continue for the second week in Kryvyi Rih - the center of Ukrainian metallurgy. Several hundred people remain at a depth of one and a half kilometers and refuse to climb. Miners oppose the removal of pension benefits, demand improved working conditions and decent wages.

The protesters began to receive threats from the Security Service of Ukraine to open a case regarding "mass disturbances".

The catalyst for the protest, which turned out to be one of the largest in Kryvyi Rih in recent years, was partly a change in the wage system. Previously, payment was hourly, that is, the entire time spent underground was taken into account. However, now it is tied to production. Payments have fallen because outdated equipment keeps breaking down and repair time is no longer paid for.

Another demand of the protesters is the improvement of working conditions and compliance with safety requirements. Recently, the miners showed a video "from under the ground", which shows that the equipment has not been changed in the last 30-40 years. This predictably leads to tragic consequences.