First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister of Energy Denys Shmyhal held a meeting with leaders of trade unions representing the coal industry. The parties discussed key issues currently affecting miners, as well as measures being taken by the Ministry of Energy to address them.

According to the Minister, the coal industry remains one of the most important sectors of the energy industry under conditions of full-scale war. Therefore, the Ministry maintains continuous contact and close cooperation with trade unions.

“We are currently working jointly with the Ministry of Finance and Members of Parliament on a solution to unblock the accounts of state-owned mines,” Denys Shmyhal stated.

The meeting also addressed the continuation of the state support programme for mines aimed at ensuring salary payments. In addition, the parties discussed the reservation of employees regardless of the transfer of enterprises to the management of the State Property Fund in accordance with current legislation.

“We are also working on updating the list of industries, professions, and positions in order to prevent workers from losing their entitlement to preferential pension provision and to bring the regulatory framework in line with actual working conditions. I thank the miners for their extremely difficult work and everyone who contributes to maintaining the resilience of Ukraine’s energy system,” Denys Shmyhal noted.