Building collapse inhabitants begin hunger strike

GJIROKASTRA, Dec 16 – Representatives of 13 families living in the building which collapsed in southern Gjirokastra last month, killing three people, began a hunger strike on Monday as they demanded compensation.
The collapse was caused by construction work on an adjacent apartment building. However, at the moment the families have no where to live.
Local authorities and central government officials had pledged 800 million leks of compensation for them. However, it seemed the money did not reach them.
Other families have also threatened they will soon join the strike.
The strikers have rejected a request by the city’s mayor to stop their strike as the aid would soon come to them.
Axhem Mene, one of those on strike, said they had expected the money for more than a month since their building collapsed on November 9.
Another striker, Fejzo Alia, said they would stop the hunger strike only when they had the money in hand, saying they did not trust the authorities.
The little money they have has served only to pay the rent of the apartments and food they have used for a month.