Editor,

I cannot agree with you more about the need to raise the safety standard for coal miners working in the pits, and the wage for these workers (Raise living standards for coal miners, November 30).

While it is laudatory that the government has been visibly pressing for mine safety by issuing new regulations and taking other actions to bolster mine safety, it is for all to see that these actions are falling short of protecting the workers.

For a country as big and as strong as China, something is seriously amiss about not being able to tackle the mine safety problems. For where there is a will, there is always a way.

The civilized world does not take the loss of lives kindly, easily, or quietly. There is something inherently repugnant about it.

In my opinion, the government should take the action where it counts, or means something: jail the mine bosses, confiscate their ill gotten money, the blood money gotten at the expense of lives of the coal miners.

Mcy, via e-mail

(China Daily 12/07/2005 page4)