Ukraine's coal industry should be modernized - PM

Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman has said that the problem of wage arrears, in particular, requires modernization of the industry and increased coal production.

He said this at the Verkhovna Rada on Friday, according to Ukrinform correspondent.

"There is a question of restructuring the industry as a whole. I don't like how things are going in the coal industry. The impression is that this is a closed circle - every year we allocate funds for modernization, and then they are used to compensate for this salary," Groysman said.

He added that coal mined by Ukrainian miners is more expensive than it can be sold. Therefore, the industry needs modernization as a whole. According to him, UAH 2.3 billion will be allocated next year for the modernization of coal mines.

In addition, Groysman emphasized that it was necessary to increase domestic coal production.

At the same time, he said that next week he would hold a meeting with government officials and people's deputies on the payment of wages to miners.

op