Miners in Albania stage protest for greater rights

TIRANA, March 21 (Xinhua) -- A protest by miners in front of the prime minister's office Wednesday to have their miner's status recognized by the state ended with an agreed upon meeting with Prime Minister Edi Rama within the week.

The protest was held amid tensions and clashes between miners and police forces after the miners attempted to enter the prime minister' premises.

The head of Miners' Union, Fiqiri Xibi, told reporters that the miners were obliged to protest as the only way to make sure their request would be heard, after many years of their rights and needs being disregarded.

"We are simply demanding our rights to be respected and guaranteed. For many years, we have been requesting the government to approve the miner's status, but the work to implement such project has been suspended," Xibi told reporters.

Miners have requested their minimal pension to be not less than 175 percent of the minimal wage. They have also requested a lower age of retirement, and have submitted requests related to their medical treatment, safety at work, and accident insurance.

On Feb. 2, a draft law on miner's status was voted down in the plenary session. The majority turned down the draft law proposed by the Socialist Movement for Integration lawmaker Perparim Spahiu, claiming the draft law was against the country's Constitution and did not take cost into consideration.

However, the government said a new draft law on the miner's status was being drafted in cooperation with the ministry of energy and infrastructure. Enditem