Turkey to improve mine safety

The Turkish government has submitted a bill to improve the safety and working conditions in mines across the country.

The move comes following the death of over 300 workers in the Soma mining accident in mid-May.

During a trip to the city of Manisa, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, accompanied by his Emine, visited the families of those killed in the disaster and vowed to help them.

“We’ll introduce the new legislation this coming month. A widows pension will be available for the affected families as soon as possible,” said Erdogan.

Under the new legislation set to be introduced, weekly working hours for miners will be cut from 48 to 30 hours, wages will be increased and a system of early retirement will be introduced.

Mines will also have to be equipped with rescue chambers and workers will be given gas masks.

Most of the Soma mine victims died from carbon monoxide poisoning.