Tragic days for the miners and Bulqiza

Five miners are injured and one lost his life in the line of duty, in less than a month

According to the state police report, three miners have been crashed on the 11th of May at noon in a mine in Martanesh, SH.E, M.H, and A.J, who despite the injuries are out of danger of life. According to other information, the cause of the accident has been asphyxia from welding in an inappropriate area, where miners initially refused to work, but were forced to do it by their response. Even in this case, work under serious conditions and lack of elementary rights almost produced a tragedy.

We as union miners salute the sacrifice and selflessness of miners. SH.E, M.H, and A.J risked their lives in the aid of their friend, but also the miners of other galleries who prevented the tragedy and made them possible.

On the 14th of May, only three days after the explosion in Martanesh galleries, another miner crashes inside AlbChrome galleries. Hysen Rrahmani (32), according to the testimony of his workmates, suffered injuries to the hand and ankle and was urgently sent to Trauma Hospital in Tirana.

On the 24th of May, another accident occurred in the mines of area D in Bulqiza. Valter Duriçi (36), was injured while working in the gallery and then transported by helicopter to Tirana because basic treatment for miners is missing in the hospital of Bulqiza.

But the most tragic event happened last Friday, on the 27th of May. Eltjon Alla (35), a miner at level 18 in AlbChrome mine, accident due to death. The news of Elti’s death has deeply shocked us all, miners and citizens of Bulqiza, friends, and relatives. We extend our sincere condolences to Eltjon's family and relatives, as well as ask to be held accountable for this next tragedy!

Increasing the job rate is the main source of mining injuries. Accidents at work are becoming almost daily and ever more dangerous in the mines of Bulqiza, meanwhile, the state and companies continue to blame workers, undertaking no serious investigation or improvement in working conditions. We express ourselves concerned about so many accidents in so little time in mines and urge all miners to join together and in a union, as the only way to increase work-life safety.

The Union of United Miners of Bulqiza (SMBB) demands a thorough investigation into this event and the state’s urgent measures so that no miner will endanger their life. It is not the mercy of the owners, but the solidarity between us keeps us alive and gives us hope for better days. The blood of miners is on the hands of those who earn from our exploitation.

For news in Albanian check out our Facebook page, or write to us at sindikataminatoreve@gmail.com.