Australian coal workers had thought that pneumoconiosis, or as it is commonly called, ‘black lung disease’, was a disease that had been relegated to history after workers won better working conditions. But the capitalists have been systematically pushing back and making our workplaces unsafe in service of higher profits. Due to sustained pressure and campaigning by unions, the ongoing problem of this fatal disease among coal miners is starting to be uncovered. While a special medical and investigative task force is a good development, the need is for safe working conditions so that this totally preventable disease is eradicated forever.
Australian coal workers had thought that pneumoconiosis, or as it is commonly called, ‘black lung disease’, was a disease that had been relegated to history after workers won better working conditions. But the capitalists have been systematically pushing back and making our workplaces unsafe in service of higher profits. Due to sustained pressure and campaigning by unions, the ongoing problem of this fatal disease among coal miners is starting to be uncovered. While a special medical and investigative task force is a good development, the need is for safe working conditions so that this totally preventable disease is eradicated forever.
