The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine at its meeting on 24 May discussed elaborated by the Ministry of Energy and Coal Industry of Ukraine the strategy for the development of the coal mining industry and now is being engaged in elaboration of the decision on the resumption of inspections of mines in compliance with requirements of working condition of miners. The strategy was presented by Minister of Energy and Coal Industry of Ukraine Ihor Nasalyk. The core objectives of the proposed incentives are: to increase the Ukrainian coal production, to reduce to zero the dependence on the anthracite coal group, to trigger the debt restructuring of the coal enterprises as well as to achieve profitability of mines in the shortest time with a simultaneous increase of responsibility of heads of the coal enterprises for the observance of safe working conditions of the miners and financially-economic activity.

The meeting also involved discussion of issues pertaining to the establishment of a state company on management of coal enterprises.

While commenting the discussion, the Prime Minister noted: «I have only one question. The establishment of the state company carries high corruption risks. I think that we should discuss it separately, with the public, trade unions, expert community - said the Head of Government. - We can't follow this path as usual»

In this context, the Prime Minister stressed that now it is would be appropriate to set up a Coordination Council on reforming and developing of the coal industry headed by Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Kistion.

Volodymyr Groysman drew a peculiar attention to issues of compliance with working conditions of miners. «The mine Stepova (JSC LvivVuhillia, there occurred a blast of coal dust at mine in March) should be a serious lesson for everyone. If directors of mines will neglect the safety of miners, we have no other option as to put them behind bars. I urge everyone to take the aforesaid issue very seriously,» said the Head of the Government.

He proposed to give instructions for the next session of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Cabinet to elaborate a decision on lifting the moratorium on inspections of the mines and to prolong the practice of conducting the enhanced control at the enterprises of coal industry in the field of individual protection of miners.

«I propose to adopt a decision on lifting the moratorium. I commission to submit for the next Government’s meeting a draft decree which will allow to conduct inspections», said Volodymyr Groysman - I think that it is essential to carry out checking in two or three months».