KIEV, Nov. 22 - Ukrainian coal miner trade unions on Thursday threatened street protests unless the government takes measures to restrict imports of coal.

The Independent Trade Union of Coal Miners and Independent Union of Donbass Coal Miners issued a joint statement accusing the government of disregarding the problems in the coal industry.

"Massive amount of coal is being accumulated at domestic coal mines, both thermal and coking coal, while at the same time a 60-70% more expensive coal is widely imported from abroad," the unions said in the statement. "Also, there is 7 million metric tons/year of coal that has been illegally extracted and undocumented" that is hurting domestic coal prices in Ukraine.