Cinzia D'Ambrosi

China is recorded as being the world's biggest coal producer yet it has also the recorded world's worst mining conditions responsible for thousands of deaths each year. According to China Labour Bulletin, the death rate in China's coal mines is approx. 10.000 a year or 27 coal miners a day. The photo reportage "The Dark Truth: Coal Miners of China" exposes some of the working conditions in the world largest coal industry, an industry that is fuelling the Economic "Miracle" of China (Orville Shell, published by www.project-syndicate in its China Stands Up). Guizho is a mountainous region rich of coal in South West China with a large population consisting of small minorities. Nowadays, an ever increasing number, estimated to be in the thousands of Chinese workers come into this region in desperate search of work. As a result, in Guizho as in in the rest of China there are numerous illegal coal mines which are opened with the tacit accord of corrupt town sheriffs and do not comply to any health and safety standards. When accidents occur these illegal small mines are just shut down as if they never existed neither the families are notified of deaths or injuries to avoid paying any claims. The workers safety and human rights are not taken into account; many mines have only one exit leaving the workers with just one way out in case of underground explosions, cave-ins or flooding. Unprotected clothing, safety equipments, poor housing have also damaged the health of many. They exploit the desperation of poor people that unable to feed their families are willing to risk their lives in illegal and unsafe work conditions.

It is estimated that over 1.500 workers, from China, Portugal, Pakistan and Italy among others are involved in the creation of Karahnjukar, Europe's largest dam- and the fourth highest in the world. Situated in a remote area of Iceland, the workers face many challenges from adverse weather conditions, heavy tunnelling and the ability to cope with living in the isolated highland camps on the shadows of Vatnajokull, Europe's biggest glacier. The settlement is an artificial combination of workers of 45 nationalities all living in about a hundred prefabricated cubic cabins which transformed the area into the fifth most populated of Iceland. This project is the biggest industrial project in the history of Iceland, a USD 1.4 billion endeavour. The dam brought to light the huge migration for work that Europe and the world has experienced in the last decades; a migration of people skilled and unskilled abandoning their homes in search for work.

Karahnjukar dam is the largest dam in Europe and one of the most ambitious construction projects of recent times. It also brings to light the huge migration that Europe and the world has experienced in the last decades; a migration of people skilled and unskilled abandoning their homes in search for work. Workers that adapt to unknown conditions, to new cultures and working methods to send home what they earn in expectation of a brighter future. The temporary work camps, on the shadows of Vatnajokull, Europe's biggest glacier was considered an artificial melting pot of workers of 45 nationalities, mainly from China, Portugal, Pakistan ant Italy all living in about a hundred prefabricated cubic cabins. The cluster of buildings that the men and women call home became Iceland's fifth-largest population centre. Side by side to dormitories, lived families of those workers that opted to take them with them. Behind the cluster of men and women in their orange thermal uniforms there are personal stories of courage and hope, of stamina and loneliness. Looking into their prefabricated cubic cabins we have spouses with children, men waiting for their next turn to go home, children that go to special schools... workers that cope with isolation, with long hours of darkness and light and of extreme work conditions.

Miao is a tribe that lives in South West China. Miao relies on exchanging goods as a form of economy.

China is recorded as being the world's biggest coal producer yet it has also the recorded world's worst mining conditions responsible for thousands of deaths each year. According to China Labour Bulletin, the death rate in China's coal mines is approx. 10.000 a year or 27 coal miners a day. The photo reportage "The Dark Truth: Coal Miners of China" exposes some of the working conditions in the world largest coal industry, an industry that is fuelling the Economic "Miracle" of China (Orville Shell, published by www.project-syndicate in its China Stands Up). Guizho is a mountainous region rich of coal in South West China with a large population consisting of small minorities. Nowadays, an ever increasing number, estimated to be in the thousands of Chinese workers come into this region in desperate search of work. As a result, in Guizho as in in the rest of China there are numerous illegal coal mines which are opened with the tacit accord of corrupt town sheriffs and do not comply to any health and safety standards. When accidents occur these illegal small mines are just shut down as if they never existed neither the families are notified of deaths or injuries to avoid paying any claims. The workers safety and human rights are not taken into account; many mines have only one exit leaving the workers with just one way out in case of underground explosions, cave-ins or flooding. Unprotected clothing, safety equipments, poor housing have also damaged the health of many. They exploit the desperation of poor people that unable to feed their families are willing to risk their lives in illegal and unsafe work conditions.