Society

200 coal miners fight lung disease claim

By Jia Xu (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2010-07-13 17:06

 

Coal miners who claim they are suffering lung disease sit in the street helpless after failing to claim compensation. [Photo/Xinhua]

 

A coal miner walks out from his rent house in Fangshan district, Beijing.[Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING - Nearly 200 coal miners dismissed from their jobs earlier this year are now battling their former employer for compensation over claims they have lung disease, Xinhua news reported July 13.

The workers, who were fired in May this year after new regulations forced the closure of small pits, claim they have since discovered they are suffering from the occupational disease pneumoconiosis after years of working in mines in South West Beijing’s Fangshan district.

The men have tried to claim compensation for medial expenses, but officials have branded their health reports fake and allege it is plot to extort money.

A lawsuit was launched against the companies involved, but judicial officials say they have no right to sue with only a hospital certificate.

The workers would need an official certificate from their former employer to prove they have the disease to claim compensation.

Up until now, only eight out of 200 workers have now received official certificates and they now plan to lobby government departments for assistance.