Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has signed a law on amendments to the 2015 state budget of Ukraine regarding state support of the coal industry, which will ensure the timely payment of wages to coal miners.
Law No. 278-VIII states that miners working at state coalmines will receive Hr 400 million of wage arrears under the budget program on the support of coalmining enterprises, thanks to the reduction of expenses for the restructuring of the coal and peat production industry which were foreseen in the national budget, the president’s press service reported on April 14.
These funds became available after the financing of the restructuring of the coal industry enterprises in the war-torn zone was halted.
These measures will improve the financial and economic situation of state mining enterprises and ensure a stable social and economic situation, the presidential press service said.
Energy and Coal Industry Minister Volodymyr Demchyshyn had previously said that in November-December around UAH 650 million of wages arrears to miners was accumulated, and rH 200 million was paid using budget funds, and it was planned to pay another Hr 450 million using the revenues of state coalmines. However, he said that in January-February 2015 coalmines were idle as Vuhlehirska thermal power plant, which is located in the war zone, was idle and there were no commercial agreements on the purchase of coal by DTEK.
“We have to pay the debt from new revenue received in February-April. We fully paid for January and 20% for February. These funds [Hr 400 million] will allow us to pay all the debts,” he said.
