Who are we?

We, the mine workers of Bulqiza working at the AlbChrome, find ourselves in a dire situation and need your support in our struggle to exercise the internationally recognised rights of freedom of association and collective bargaining.

We have paid the highest price for the export revenues generated by the chromium mines in Albania, which amounted to over 100 million euros in 2018. We live in one of the poorest regions of the country and work in what is notoriously known as the “death shafts” so that before we start working, we greet each other “May you come out alive!”

Over the last decades, the unholy alliance between the state and private companies has left our communities poor and devastated from the lost lives of our friends and family members. And it is not that we have accepted this quietly. We have protested and we have gone even in hunger strikes, but we have been betrayed over and over again by the existing, corrupt trade unions.

We announced the declaration of our trade union, and the company fired our leaders for being involved in the union activities

On November 17th 2019, we declared the formation of our trade union – Trade Union of United Mineworkers of Bulqiza (Sindikata e Minatorëve të Bashkuar të Bulqizës – SMBB) – which had already obtained legal recognition by state authorities on October 15 2019. The public announcement, which took place in the town centre, was filled with anger for the severe poverty, the death of so many mineworkers, the hazardous working conditions and feelings of betrayal by existing trade unions. But there was also hope at what a truly independent, worker-driven trade union could achieve.

Your solidarity and support is critical to our struggle

We are fighting the employer’s repression and intimidation, police violence, the government structures that have sided with the most powerful man in Albania, a total media blackout on our struggle, and continuous attacks by the old trade unions which have shown to be totally under the control of the employer. Your solidarity is critical to our struggle. Please sign the petition of the LabourStart to send a letter to the Prime Minister and AlbChrome to respect our fundamental rights to organise and bargain collectively.

Together we are stronger!