Silesia paralyzed by miners road blockade

Protesting miners who are demanding the government reverse the decision to close four Silesian coal mines managed to successfully make the lives of Silesians a nightmare on Friday by blocking the regions main roads for three hours. The protest started at 11am. Busloads of miners arrived earlier at designated spots to begin the blockade. The miners managed to block 16 roads in the region. Meanwhile, Economy Minister Jerzy Hausner was doing his best to convince Silesian councilors that the mining reform program is the best solution for the ailing industry which is in a critical state. "Hausner's ideas are harmful for Silesia. Miners do not want their mines to be closed. Thieves should be closed not mines. Hausner should be dismissed!" shouted one of the councilors Rajmund Pollak. Hausner spoke about the mines zł. 18 billion debt the government intends to write-off and ensured nobody would lose a job, or be left without financial support. (Rzeczpospolita, Sept. 27-28; p. B1) A.Z.