Coal in India
Miners, Unions and Livelihoods
Coal supports hundreds of thousands of jobs directly and many more indirectly, and a transition away from coal must consider these workers.
People behind the fuel.
Workforce
Coal India employs several lakh workers, and many more work in transport, contracting and informal mining.
Wages
Unionised public sector wages are high compared with local alternatives.
Regional dependence
Districts in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh rely on coal revenue and jobs.
Risks
Accidents and illegal mining remain concerns.
A mining town
Shops, schools and transport in a coal town all depend on the mine's payroll.
Ignoring informal workers in coal
Many work without protection.
Key takeaways
- Coal employs many people.
- Wages are relatively high.
- Regions depend on coal.
- Safety risks persist.
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