BULQIZA, July 5 – The 12-day long hunger strike and protest of hundreds of chromium miners ended Thursday after they agreed to a 30 percent pay raise.
Thirty miners had been on a hunger strike in the town of Bulqiza, and some of them had to be hospitalized after falling ill from the lack of food.
Meanwhile their colleagues and family members had moved to Tirana where they had protested in front of the main government institutions asking for help.
Protesters even threatened to block the voting process of the president at the parliament, though officials prevented this from happening.
They also asked for the resignation of the industry minister and even the government reminding them the miners have supported the government since the fall of communism.
On Thursday they agreed to a 30 percent rise and protesters have begun returning to Bulqiza to complete the details of the labor agreement.
The miners will resume work Monday and the company also agreed to pay wages lost during the days on strike, as well.
The company also said it would gradually improve working conditions and continue pay raises.
The miners began the strike more than one week ago after failing to convince their company, Darfo, to increase their salaries by 50 percent, rather than the proposed 15 percent.
Each day, 660 miners descend thousands of meters to carve out chromium; however, they are not pleased with their low salaries.
They had tried to involve the industry ministry in negotiating higher salaries but had failed. Miners have also not managed to receive support from an independent trade union.
The 30 miners were among 150 who offered to take part in the hunger strike held at a building in the town. The strike has found support among the town’s residents who had begun protesting against the company and also the government.
Residents had even threatened to block the national road from Tirana to Peshkopi in support of the miners.
