From the Readers

Voice of experience

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-04-22 08:32

Comment on "Too many coal mine accidents" (China Daily, April 15)

With 20 years' experience as a mining engineer, geologist and mine manager, including consulting to mines around the world, my observation on mine safety is that only a highly educated workforce, with each individual capable of making a reasoned decision in any circumstance, is safe. I have yet to meet a "dumb" miner who is any good. My primary observation is that rules and regulations alone don't work.

An educated workforce requires at least three generations who are experienced with mechanical equipment. In order to achieve this, you need the State to provide high quality education. This requires an adequate social framework and taxation to fund it. For a nation that seems obsessed by low labor costs, this means that the workforce will ultimately demand higher compensation.

Jeremy Peters, on China Daily Website

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(China Daily 04/22/2010 page9)