Pit workers – children reportedly (6)

I believe the answer is:

miners

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'pit workers' is the definition.
(people working down in a pit)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

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(Other definitions for miners that I've seen before include "Pit workers" , "They work below ground" , "Labourers below ground" , "out in 1972?" , "Extractors" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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