Third day of hunger strike

27/07/2011 12:40

Bulqize miners are continuing their hunger strike underground. The
strikers declared that they are determined to continue their protest
until their requests will be met. The strike is being held in very bad
conditions, while there is no official stance by state authorities.

Out on the surface, by the gallery entrance, there are dozens of supporters, colleagues and family members who wait news with great concern.

The miners decided to continue their strike in the deep undergrounds of the galleries, demanding an increment of 20%, better safety conditions at work and preserving the future of the mine.

Miners’ health conditions have deteriorated, due to the low temperatures and high humidity inside the gallery.

30 are the miners who decided to continue their hunger strike underground, while the rest haven’t left the gallery entrance.

The protest started after 21 days of a general strike and 5 days of protests in Tirana.

Failing to receive the answers they were waiting for, the miners returned to Bulqize for starting a hunger strike that was warned before.

Some of the miners have requested medical help.

1000 meters underground

A group of miners started a hunger strike in the deep underground of the galleries.

23 days ago they started a protest and downed their tools, presenting a list of requests to the employer ACR Company, demanding a 20% increment, safety at work and the future of the mine, in order to avoid the closing of the mine after subcontractors would leave Area D.

The Ministry of Economy decided to partially suspend the work of the ACR Company at Area D, and also the subcontracted companies in this zone.

ACR promised a pay increase of 10%, but the miners refused. Talks resulted without a final result, and the miners protested in Tirana for five consequent days, deciding to return at the end in Bulqize, where they started the hunger strike.

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