Miners in Bulqize protested today in front of the Albchrome mine, owned by businessman Samir Mane.
The protest was organised by the new Bulqiza United Miners’ Union (SMBB) which was formed last year due to members accusing the other Union of not serving their interests. Shortly after it was formed, the head Elton Dobreshi and three other miners were fired.
The State Labour Inspectorate investigated the terminations but ruled they were fair, a judgement that the SMBB have rejected, claiming the Inspectorate have been influenced by Mane.
The miners have a list of eight demands and call upon Albchrome to take heed of them as soon as possible.
The demands are:
- A negotiation of a new Collective Agreement with SMBB
- Wage increase
- Rate review
- Payment of the end-of-year bonus
- Recognition of skill at and seniority at work
- Compensation for work-related accidents
- Cessation of undue pressure on miners
- Re-employment of four SMBB miners
Following the first round of protests in early December, some of the miners were arrested for protesting illegally. The prosecution dropped the investigations at the end of December stating that their demonstration was not illegal.
SMBB has alleged there have been eight deaths in the mines since 2013 and a number of injuries. They claim that Albchrome does not take responsibility for these incidents, instead of placing the blame on employees. They have also claimed that Albchrome has intimidated them, an allegation echoed by Organizata Politike who have been supporting the miners with protests, leaflet dissemination, and social media posts.
