Delegates from the Workers’ Union of Energy, Geology and Mining held a press conference on Wednesday (8 January) for demanding longer paid holidays. The delegates said that mining workers must have 14 days of paid holidays after working 14 days in a month. They are opposing the 20 work days and 10 days of vacation enacted by the amendment to the Law on Labour.

Currently, over 45,000 mining workers work up to 40 days and get only seven days of vacation; this is resulting to increased depression and mental strain, divorce and even suicide.

The mining sector is vitally important in the Mongolian economy accounting for 24 percent of GDP and 75 percent of foreign direct investment to Mongolia as well as a staggering 87 percent of exports.