Pressure from the United Miners of Bulqiza Trade Union regains the right to strike to the miners
After this public call by SMBB and an investigation that followed suit by BIRN Albania, Albchrome and FSPISH wasted no time in manipulating once more the contents of the “amendment”.
Since early June, the United Miners of Bulqiza Trade Union (SMBB) reported the next illegal act down the line, concocted by Albchrome in collaboration with FSPISH — the so-called trade union of Taf Koleci and Kol Nikolla. In complete obscurity and unbeknownst to any miner, violating the Labour Code, the above-mentioned parties declared publicly the new Collective Agreement. This illegal contract was touted as the salvation that significantly improved workers conditions; instead, their most basic rights were being trampled upon, such as the right to go on strike.
The following “amendments” to this agreement were displayed publicly at the mine’s premises on 3rd of June 2020, for at least two weeks. This is how we came to know about its contents and we immediately publicly denounced it, especially the unconstitutional renouncing of the right to go on strike. After this public call by the United Miners of Bulqiza Trade Union (SMBB) and an investigation that followed suit by BIRN Albania, Albchrome and FSPISH wasted no time in manipulating once more the contents of the “amendment”, removing its most disgraceful concession regarding the right to strike.
Thanks to the pressure exerted by SMBB, the miners once more regained their right to go on strike, but the struggle continues. The actual Collective Agreement is invalid, with at least three “amendments” in violation of the law. It is signed by a corrupt trade union that does not represent the miners but negotiates behind their backs for the benefit of the master.
Organized and united we shall win!
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