The 50-year-old miner fell while working in the Albchrome galleries and is out of danger. The miners of Bulqiza have continuously protested for better wages and working conditions.
A 50-year-old miner was injured yesterday while working in one of the Albchrome company's galleries in Bulqiza.
Bulqiza Police announced that the employee, identified as AD, accidentally fell while working, suffering bodily injuries. He was immediately transported to the hospital and, according to authorities, is out of danger. The materials on the incident have been referred to the Prosecutor's Office for evaluation.
BIRN sources at Bulqiza Hospital said the miner suffered multiple injuries to his shoulder, which is expected to temporarily prevent him from returning to work. Doctors also stressed that his treatment requires procedures that are not fully available in the public health system and are expensive for an average family.
BIRN has contacted Albchrome, seeking a statement on the circumstances of the accident, the health condition of the injured employee, and the measures being taken to ensure the safety of workers at the Bulqiza galleries. However, by the time of publication of this news, the company has not responded – a practice repeated in previous accidents.
Albchrome, which in 2022 was sold by Balfin Group to the Turkish conglomerate Yildirim International Mining Investments BV, has often faced accusations and protests from miners over difficult working conditions and lack of safety in the galleries.
The mining sector in Albania is considered among the most dangerous, where accidents at work have often brought tragic consequences for workers - including loss of life.
In Bulqiza, miners working for the Albchrome company have protested several times this year demanding higher wages and improved working conditions. Although the company agreed to a 5% wage increase at the beginning of the year, workers considered it minimal and insufficient compared to their demand for a 10% increase.
Following the protests, the Albchrome company fired one of the workers who was part of the representative group in negotiations with its management. Miner Altin Kola stated that he was fired on the grounds that he had torn up a notice placed by the company, but his unions and colleagues described this action as an act of revenge for his involvement in the protest and in representing the interests of the workers. /BIRN/
