Albania - Miners under fire in new trade union - January 10, 2020

The Union of United Mineworkers of Bulqiza is the newest and largest union in Albania, with over 320 members, and by law, it is their right to negotiate new collective bargaining contracts.

The miners work hard and risk their lives to extract chrome, and get paid very little. In recent years wages have not risen, while labour rates have become increasingly burdensome.

As a result of their efforts, the Albchrome company has illegally dismissed four miners, executives and union members. Today four families of miners are left without any income because the heads of households sacrificed on behalf of the rights of all miners.

There is a belief that old trade union employees serve the company, drawing up lists of miners who are fired or warned to be fired. Undercover deals that try to deal with the company are illegal and in no way serve the employees. 

The new trade unionists will continue to strive to meet these basic requirements:

1. Salary increases.
2. Reduction of labour rates.
3. Safety at work.
4. Acknowledgement of seniority and difficulty.
5. Return to work of unjustly dismissed miners.

They also expect all employees to submit requests that they think fit to request from the company.

If they all become co-miners and citizens of Bulqiza, the mine will employ more people, work will be more decent and more prosperous working life.