Miners launch underground protest at Poland’s Silesia coal mine

An underground protest has begun at the Silesia coal mine in the town of Czechowice-Dziedzice in the southern Poland, Silesian Voivodeship, after a group of miners refused to return to the surface at the end of their shift and remained more than 500 metres underground.

The action was spontaneous and initially carried out without the formal involvement of trade unions. Workers from the night shift were the first to take part, remaining below ground in protest against planned mass layoffs at the mine. Preliminary estimates indicate that more than 700 employees could lose their jobs, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

The miners are also voicing concern over a new mining law that does not apply to employees of the Silesia mine. As a result, they fear they would be excluded from social protection measures available to workers at other coal mines in the event of dismissal. Protesters stress that the absence of such safeguards represents a serious threat to their livelihoods.

The number of protesters currently stands at seven, though additional miners from subsequent shifts may join the action. The duration of the protest and its potential consequences remain unclear.

Grzegorz Babij, head of the Solidarity (NSZZ Solidarność) trade union at Silesia, told media that workers had informed union representatives of their protest and requested assistance.

“They called me asking whether Solidarity would support them. Of course, help will be provided,” Babij said. “At the moment, we are handling logistical matters such as food, hygiene supplies, and similar needs. Water has already been delivered. The protesters are in a safe location and face no immediate danger.”

The situation at the mine remains fluid as negotiations and developments continue.

By Vafa Guliyeva