To: Mr. Nur Bekri Governor of Xinjiang Province Mr. Xi JinPing President
From : Your Name Here
Subject: Mining Disaster

To all parties concerned, we are representatives of an ethics consulting firm. We address matters in which ethical standards have not been upheld. We confront unethical situations and seek compensation for those who have been compromised. It has come to our firm’s attention that Chinese citizen’s lives have been at risk and taken due to a lack of ethical standards. Our firm will help central government set ethical standards and reach settlements with those hurt in the disaster. On December 13, 2013 an explosion killed 21 workers at a coalmine in China’s western Xinjiang province. Thirty-four miners were working underground at the time of the explosion and twenty-one of them were killed. Fortunately some workers made it out alive; even one trapped worker survived his 21 co-workers. Although there have been movements to shut dangerous mines down around the country, it is still not enough. Telegraph Media Group reported that over 50,000 miners have been killed in the last decade. Telegraph Media also reported that even with mines closing, over 10,000 still remain open. This situation is far from acceptable, no human being should be working under dangerous conditions where the likelihood of them dying is greater than living. In the “Ethical Trading Initiative; respect for workers worldwide”, it states that “a safe and hygienic working environment shall be provided, bearing in mind the prevailing knowledge of the industry and of any specific hazards.” Granted mining is a hazardous industry but there should not be these deaths. Our firm would like to work with the central government to put in place ethical standard regulations to be followed by all mining businesses. We would also like to hold the mines responsible for the deaths and injuries of their workers. Settlements for all victims and victims’ families are of necessity. Victims should be compensated with daily pay until able to return to work, plus covered medical costs. Victims unable to return to any kind of work should be compensated with daily living expenses and coverage of al medical costs. Lastly for victims families, who have lost a loved one, should be compensated with the daily pay that the victim would have received up until 65 years of age. Steps must be taken immediately so more lives are not lost. In addition to the basic settlements, there will be specialized “compensation packages” for each family. For a family who suffered the loss of a loved one, their funeral service costs will be covered. Also, if that family has children, a bond is to be put in place in each child’s name to help with future education costs. For those fortunate enough to survive the mining disaster they should receive a stipend of 50,000 Yen for pain and suffering. Additionally those with lasting injuries who can no longer provide for a family, should receive a yearly stipend of 30,000 Yen to help provide for their families. There are multiple alternatives that can be imposed to prevent possible future coal mining disasters. The first alternative would be for China to adopt the UN Global Compact (UNGC) that Oliver F. Williams discusses in his article “Business Ethics in China: A Moving Target”. The Global Compact works towards developing a consensus on global ethical norms and making sure countries follow those norms. Secondly all coalmines that are not properly regulated or have had any form of disaster could be shut down. A third alternative would be to reconstruct the mines so that they are much safer and healthier for the workers. No mine would be able to operate without a proper inspection and up to code. If the Chinese mining companies were to use any of the above alternatives, they would be saving themselves a lot of future hardship. The best alternative for the mining company would be to follow the Global Compact and bring the mines up to the ethical norms. Once the mining companies paid all settlements with victims and victim’s families, the companies could work on changing their work environments. The work environments would need to be safer (not putting anyone in immediate danger) and healthier (breathable and workable conditions). Thank you for your attention in this critical matter concerning the mining disasters. You may contact us at our company’s phone number 516-555-6666 or by email at ethicalfirm@gmail.com.

Bibliography "Business Ethics in China: A Moving Target." Business Ethics in China: A Moving Target. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 May 2014. .

"China coal mine explosion kills 21." Australia Network News. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 May 2014. .

Phillips, Tom. "Up to 47 dead in Chinese mine explosion." The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group, 30 Aug. 2012. Web. 25 May 2014. .

"Working conditions are safe and hygienic." Ethical Trading Initiative. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 May 2014. .