Tens of Thousands Strike in Albania Despite Warning
Tens of thousands of Albanian workers struck Thursday to demand higher wages and better working conditions, ignoring a government warning that a strike would destroy the battered economy.
People in vital services, such as bread and milk production and delivery, electricity and health services, did not participate in the strike called by the Independent Trade Union Federation, said an official journalist reached by telephone in Albania’s capital, Tirana.
Albanian journalists quoted the federation’s strike committee leader, Valer Xheka, as saying that at least 250,000 workers had joined the action.
“At least 90% of Albania’s industry is paralyzed by the strike,” Xheka said. “Twenty of the country’s 26 districts are paralyzed. There is no public transport. Most of the factories are not working.”
The unions are demanding that wages and pensions be increased 50%, that working hours in their six-day week be reduced and that women no longer be required to work night shifts, the report said.
The average monthly wage in Albania is 500 leks, about $50.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
