THERE has been more misery for opencast workers at a site near Kirkconnel this week after being told they will not be paid, leaving them in limbo.

Opencast operator Hargreaves have told their staff at Glenmuckloch that whilst they are still employed by the firm, they will not be paid yet they must remain ready to return to work when asked to do so.

Hargreaves wrote to staff at the Kirkconnel site this week to notify them of the move.

Hargreaves have blamed the decision on "unexpected geological issues" and a "shortage of work".

In a letter sent to employees, which has been seen by the Chronicle, Hargreaves said: "The ongoing and well documented decline in the use of coal in the UK, the mild weather and the consistently poor coal price, has already had a significant impact upon our existing mining plans.

"In addition to this, as we have stated, we have recently encountered serious and unexpected geological issues at Glenmuckloch. These problems create a challenge in terms of the safe and economic working of the remainder of the coal."

The letter added: "It is with regret that due to the current situation at Glenmuckloch, the company must notify you that you are being laid off in accordance with the 'Shortage of Work' clause in your contract of employment with effect from Tuesday 19th April 2016."

A Hargreaves spokesperson this week told the Chronicle: "In light of the continuing deterioration in coal markets, and the closures of many UK coal fired power stations, Hargreaves has been left with little option but to seek to size its workforce appropriately. The option of voluntary redundancy has recently been offered to staff and we will attempt to safeguard as many roles as possible through redeployment within Hargreaves.

"The future plans for the site are currently being discussed with all key stakeholders, unfortunately, until this has been agreed with all parties, work cannot continue. Therefore we have invoked lay-off clauses in workers contracts as we commence the statutory 30 day collective consultation and conclude discussions regarding future operations."

The news comes just a week after the Chronicle reported how the Durham-based firm had written to staff seeking voluntary redundancies.

One worker at Glenmuckloch, who does not wish to be named, said: "The full site is up in arms about it. There are boys with mortgages and bills to pay and now they are laid off.

"The feeling is that they want us to resign to save on paying out any redundancy money."

Workers have now been told that they are entitled to Statutory Guarantee Pay and also told to check if they are eligible to claim any benefits.

The news was only broken to miners at a meeting on Monday morning, with the lay off beginning on Tuesday.

The workers have not been dismissed but 60 men are now laid off until further notice. Staff have been told "you are required to continue to make yourself available for work should we contact you to advise that work is available".

Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale MP, David Mundell said: "As the local MP this is a situation I am monitoring closely. I have taken up the issues at Kirkconnel with Hargreaves personally and I hope a solution can be found."

Workers will now go through a statutory 30 day collective consultation process with Hargreaves. The firm, however, is adamant that it will fulfil all restoration obligations.