Sounds like they're suffering. In their chests? (7)

I believe the answer is:

coffers

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'chests?' is the definition.
(coffer is a kind of chest)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

(Other definitions for coffers that I've seen before include "Money-chests" , "Treasury boxes" , "Treasure chests" , "Strongboxes" , "Supply of funds" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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