Read this article in:
24 August, 2009
The ICEM was informed last week of Albanian President Sali Berisha’s announcement to the national media, that the government will pass a bill in parliament to sequester all properties of Albanian trade unions.
The announcement was made on 19 August, with the promise to push the Bill through within three months.
Trade unions in Albania have suffered continued discrimination from the national government in recent years. On 1 August 2007, both of the country’s Trade Union Confederations, the Union of Independent Trade Unions of Albania (BSPSH) and the Confederation of Trade Unions of Albania (KSSH), were expelled from their headquarters and prohibited from exercising their normal activity. All property and documents inside the offices were destroyed by police.
The threat of expropriation and police occupation of trade union premises has been continuous for many years. Since July 2006, the Building and Wood Workers International (BWI) has called on the prime minister to start a dialogue with the Albanian trade union movement, in order to find a solution safeguarding the continuity of the social dialogue in Albania.
The ICEM condemns this attack on the democratic trade unions of Albania. There will be a joint ILO-International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) delegation to Albania starting today, 24 August.