KIEV, March 4 - The staff of the Chervony Zhovten water pump mine in Yenakiyeve, Donetsk region, have said they are ready to go on strike due to wage arrears.

The miners "are on the verge of a social explosion, they have not been paid this year," the Mining Industry Workers Union has reported on its Web site.

According to the union, the administration of the state-run enterprise Ukrshakhtgidrozakhyst (which owns the mine) has recently said "There is no money, don't even wait for it," citing delays by the Ukrainian cabinet, which has not approved a decree governing the release of funds to Ukrshakhtgidrozakhyst enterprises.