TIRANA, May 31 – Several female workers at a shoe factory in Bubq, Kruja, central Albania, have fallen ill and are receiving medical treatment after they were exposed to hazardous raw materials at work, authorities reported.
The workers reported dizziness and some passed out. At least 11 people were hospitalized.
According to authorities, the preliminary information leads to the workplace having innadecuate ventilation, however the investigation continues.
The hospitalized women told authorities that “during the factory working hours they did not feel good. They were immediately sent to the Fushà«-Kruja Health Center and were under medical care, and not in serious condition.”
The police, in cooperation with the Kruja Judicial District Prosecutor’s Office and the Environmental Inspectorate “are carrying out all the necessary actions to determine the cause and the full disclosure of the event,” the police statement noted.
A statement from authorities added, “from the preliminary investigations it is suspected that the cause was the poor aspiration and the negative effects were from the released raw material.”
This is not the first time workplace safety issues make headlines in Albania, and the latest incident has become part of an ongoing debate whether enough is being done to protect the health of workers.
Majlinda Bregu, a lawmaker engaged in women’s issues, said in a statement the government must do more to protect vulnerable workers like women who work in shoe and garment industries, who are often paid minimum wage.
“State structures are well placed to leave the electoral campaign for a moment and starting from this case, to analyze all the possibilities offered by the law to provide protection and normal working conditions for all women and girls working in the these factories,” Bregu said.
