Dark days for laborers

More than 14,000 workers were diagnosed with pneumoconiosis, or black lung disease, last year, according to the Ministry of Health. That accounts for 80 percent of new occupational disease cases in 2009.

The glaring statistics indicate that the government has been ineffective in improving work conditions, protecting laborers and educating them about the hazards of industrial labor.

Clearly, more effort is needed on the part of the government to help our laborers. Poor working conditions and a lack of workers' rights have been a problem for a long time.