Miners were given little notice of closure and minimal help.
In the summer of 2007 Germany instigated a ten year programme to wind down unprofitable mines: –
“The German government is set to phase out unprofitable coal mines by 2018, according to a plan agreed to by the government and unions in August. The plan does not come cheaply; the federal and state governments will provide some 21.6 billion euros to help miners with the transition.”
