Today, workers from a textile factory in the city of Vlora, Albania, staged a protest to demand better working conditions and address the lack of social security payments. According to sources for A2 CNN, the employees voiced their grievances against unfair labor practices and unsafe work environments.
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| Women Workers in Vlora Protesting Against Exploitation and Abuse |
One of the protesters stated, “We are not just speaking for ourselves but for all the women working in textile factories. Yesterday, we received threatening phone calls.” Another protester emphasized the harsh treatment and poor conditions they endure, saying, “There is irresponsible behavior towards our colleagues, disrespectful attitudes, and vulgar language. The conditions are scandalous. I earn 39,000 ALL while performing three tasks, and I can’t make ends meet. Our social security payments have gone unpaid for 1 year and 8 months. They want to close down without paying us what we are owed.”
The workers also complained about verbal abuse from management. One woman shared, “I can’t even speak without being yelled at. I just want my wages to reflect the work I do.” Another added, “He insults us in the worst way. We sign contracts, but Altin has no right to humiliate workers. If you get hurt or shocked by electricity, he just dismisses it, saying it’s your problem.”
This protest sheds light on ongoing labor rights violations in Vlora’s textile industry. Many factories in the region have been accused of exploiting employees by failing to pay social security contributions for years.
The protesting workers have called for urgent intervention from higher authorities to resolve their grievances and ensure their rights are respected. This demonstration is a stark reminder of the pressing need for reform in labor practices within Albania’s garment sector.