Vijf jaar mijnsluiting en de gevolgen voor het personeel de periode 1965-1970

Abstract

In this contribution the author discusses the fundamental social aspects that have prevailed during the personnel reductions amounting to 30,000 workers during the last 5 years. Individual problems have of course occurred and the transition has been more successful for some than for others. In sum total we can say that the consequences of the closing of the mines for its personnel has been less severe than one might have expected. In mid 1970 the Netherlands coal mining industry still employed some 15,000 people. By analogy with the reduction of some 30,000 workers.in the previous 5 years one might expect the remainder to be run down in another 2,5 years. Mr. Hellemans in his paper will explain why this is not so. The author of this paper limits himself to a review of experience gained so far. One is inclined to forget that the Dutch State Mines (DSM) employed 5 years ago some 10,000 workers in its chemical industry (now some 12,000), this number is not included in the highest number of workers that the mining industry had in its service since World War II of some 55,000. Programmed reductions started in July, 1965. Before, between 1958 and 1965 there had been a quiet attrition of some 1,500 men per year. In 1965 the rate of reduction was accelerated to 6,000 men per year. DSM led with reducing its personnel in the solid fuels business to 1/6th of its former number, the privately-owned mines (8 in total) to somewhat less than half. Contractors and suppliers suffered of course also, but reliable information on their position is not available. As far as coal mining is concerned, the reductions affected some 1 in 4 workers in southern Limburg and even 1 in 2 workers in the eastern area where the mines are located. Re-employment opportunities are naturally of paramount importance in the area of the mine closures. The author explains that in the past it had been too readily assumed that restructuring would succeed only if for each surplus miner an industrial position would be available. However, during the restructuring phase a number of miners moved to job opportunities outside Limburg. Furthermore, a number were withdrawn from the list of employables because they were retired on early pension. As a result of these two facts only 50% of the miners that were withdrawn from the mines had to be placed in newly created positions in southern Limburg while some 10% were placed with local social labor schemes. The remaining 40% have been retired or are receiving a financial allowance until they reach retirement age. Not 30,000 industrial jobs had to be found but only half of that amount. The article contains statistical data on the jobs vacated until the middle of 1970. As a rule those who are being released qualify for unemployment compensation or a financial allowance to bridge the gap to the lower pay which they will have to accept in their new jobs. One of the major problems concerns the adjustment of the underground miners, who have high wage scales, to the much lower wage levels that prevail in industries at the surface. It is evident, however, for reasons explained in the paper, that only 17,000 of the 33,500 personnel released have qualified for compensations under the rules explained. In principle all the mines are now following the rule that no one will be released unless there is suitable alternative employment or terms for early retirement are met. Economical and production/technical considerations now take second place to social principles. A "Council of Guidance" can be called upon for assistance by any mine. The usual procedure is that job opportunities are located and investigated and that qualified candidates are brought forward by the mines. Retraining programmes have to be designed and about 650 staff and 4,150 workers have been prepared for new employment by retraining. About 25%of available staff and about 10% of the manual workers have found employment outside the province of Limburg. People of 40 years and over form the hard core of the reduction programme as they are the most difficult to place. It is gratifying that so far employment has been developed for about 2,000 handicapped workers.