The article contained in the link below is a truly sad reminder of why we need regulation--and enforcement--to protect workers. Coal companies are not going to protect their workers unless they are regulated. In this case, regulations were made to control the cause of black lung disease in mines, but the regulations have not been adequately enforced. Coal companies care only about money. Government needs to care about people. That means not only putting regulations on the books, but enforcing them. We've seen enough examples recently in the financial area to demonstrate that enforcement cannot be limited to fines--corporations have come to see federal fines as simply a cost of doing business, no different than the bribes they pay overseas. Enforcement must require that the individuals who break the law pay personally, in some cases by doing time. Creating environments that harm workers--and even kill them eventually--should be seen as a serious crime. Shame on these companies, and shame on the individual investors who profit from their awful treatment of workers.
Deadly black lung surges back in coal country - Open Channel
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