Yesterday the Labour AM for Caerphilly Jeff Cuthbert registered a statement of opinion urging the Welsh Assembly Government and the UK government to provide any support necessary, including technical support, to the Chilean authorities as they work to free the 33 miners who are trapped 700m underground.
Despite being trapped since 5 August it was just days ago that the miners and their families received the news that they are not likely to be freed from their underground prison until around Christmas time.
Throughout the long history of Welsh mining the anxiety and fear of having a loved one trapped in a mine will be one that many Welsh families have experienced.
Jeff Cuthbert AM said
‘The terrible anguish that is faced by these Chilean miners and their families is almost beyond our imagination. They will need enormous stores of strength and willpower. Every little bit of help, whether physical or emotional, will be valuable and we in the UK have requisite knowledge about mining disasters such as this one.’
‘As the representative for UNITE AM’s here in the Assembly I will be seeking to explore ways of working within the Wales TUC and trade union movement to provide help and support for these miners and their families.’
