Disasters occurred in the galleries and the May Day
Despite this dramatic situation, in return, we only receive exploitation, exchange, hard working conditions and ridiculous salaries.
The 1st of May is International Labor Day, representing the efforts and sacrifices of workers across the centuries for more rights. Miners more than anyone, understand the importance of respecting rights at work.
Miners’ job is the most difficult and dangerous. We face the risk of life on a daily basis. The mining sector has the highest number of accidents and deaths at work. More than 50 miners have died in the workplace in the last 8 years alone. Meanwhile, in the last two months:
On the 4th of March, another accident occurred in the Bulqiza mines, injuring 40-year-old miner Rasim Laçi. The information in the formal police notification is sparse, as is customary, with no indication of the company where the accident occurred or the circumstances in which it occurred.
The 19th of March was the date of the next horrific mining disaster. Afrim Zhutaj, 43, and Adil Dautaj, 41, were killed when a gallery in Tropoja collapsed. Miners continue to die in mines due to difficult working conditions, a lack of investment in safety, and the lack of government oversight.
The last disaster occurred on the 19th of April in Bulqiza’s AlbChrome mine. Arben Stafa, a 54-year-old miner, lost one of his toes and was sent to Trauma Hospital in Tirana. This accident has been attempted to be kept hidden, as is customary. Neither the state police nor the media made the information public.
Despite this dramatic situation, in return, we only receive exploitation, exchange, hard working conditions and ridiculous salaries. Dignified treatment follows us even after retirement if we achieve it. Pensions are a mockery for the workers who have sacrificed for decades in the black depths of the underground.
In Albania there are Statuses — special laws — for many categories, but not for the most difficult profession of underground workers. Old and corrupt unions have sold the Miner Status for their interests. We as the United Miners of Bulqiza Trade Union (SMBB) have raised this important issue since its founding, we have even undertaken a petition with about 12,000 signatures directed to the relevant institutions.
All of these are very strong reasons to react, organize and protest for our rights. Every day should be May Day where there are mines and miners.
On this 1st of May, we also joined together with workers from other sectors, to unanimously demand good working conditions for the approval of the Miner Status one hour as soon as possible!
Workers united have to win!
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