Some 22,000 miners of the JSW Coal Company in Jastrzebie are taking part in a one-day strike, Monday in reaction to privatisation plans.

The 24 hour action has been called by the Solidarity trade union to protest planned privatisation of JSW according to principles set by the State Treasury and in support of a 10 percent pay rise demand by the company crew.

Work had stopped in all JSW pits by 6 am with the morning shift remaining on the surface.

The strikers are pressing the company authorities to respond to questions and fears voiced by union members who claim the crew will suffer a number of setbacks once the coal company is floated on the stock market.

Experts estimate losses of up to 30 million zloty (7.5 million euro), incurred by JSW for each idle day of coal extraction. (ss/jb)