Author: Dallandyshe Xhaferri
In the month of April, when nature shows that life is reborn after winter, three employees in Albania died as a result of workplace accidents.
SB was one of the many workers who every day play an important role in the creation of a new Tirana, ostensibly a European city, but the scaffolding of its ambitions is fraught with dangers that cost lives.
Due to an accident that happened around 9 am at a construction site in Kodra e Diellit, the 55-year-old man died 4 hours later due to the injuries he received. But this is not the only case with fatal consequences due to accidents at work.
Two other employees of the same age lost their lives after an accident at the workplace; a 40-year-old man had an accident at the brick factory in Maminas and then a 56-year-old man who worked in a company for the distribution of alcoholic beverages.
During the past year, 2023 were classified and certified as workplace accidents by the Spatial Inspectorate of Labor and Social Services (ISPSSH) 168 cases, 30 of which resulted in loss of life for employees.
In 2022, the number of employees who had accidents and those who lost their lives as a result of injuries received was higher. 32 employees out of 194 accidents at the workplace lost their lives.
Due to exposure to difficulties, the construction sector is involved in activities with high levels of risk. The main reason for accidents in the workplace is related to the non-implementation of occupational health and safety regulations. In the official data of the ISPHSH, it is specified that in the field of construction, accidents occur as a result of falling from heights.
Employees who complain the most
Renato Muçaj, the head of the Union of Postal Employees - One Shqiparian, tells "Sinjalizo" that even for the field workers of this sector there have been no shortage of accidents at work, although the injuries were minor.
"We had two or three cases with minor injuries and they were cases of employees working in the field, who are telephone network technicians", - says Muçaj, adding that sometimes it is the employees themselves who neglect the rules of technical insurance.
"Sometimes even they themselves neglect to comply with technical security, because when one person climbs the ladder, there must be another person to hold it, two people must work when they are at height", he says. Mucaj, who adds that companies try to resolve such issues directly with the injured employee by promising treatment for the injuries received and additional payment.
This direct agreement between both parties bypasses the role of the Labor Inspectorate, which, among other things, has the mission of controlling, ascertaining, mitigating conflicts and guaranteeing compliance with legal requirements in the field of labor legislation and that of social Services. .
According to the data received by "Sinjalizo" from the Institute of Public Health, it results that in the last three years the number of employees has increased, who have complained to the employer about the non-respect of various rights in the workplace.
According to the data that this institution has placed at the disposal of "Sinjalizo", it results that 2021 complaints against employers were filed by employees during 2022 and 1. Most of these complaints have been described as "genuine". Specifically, 609 complaints were deemed as such after the inspection.
Most of the complaints were filed by employees, who complained about non-notification of accidents at the workplace, non-payment by the employer of arrears of wages, non-payment of social and health insurance, etc.
For the year 2023, the largest number of subjects inspected by ISPHSH belong to the region of Tirana. The highest number of complaints filed by employees are related to companies that exercise economic activity in this region, constituting 75% of the total inspection-complaints.
"During 2023, this region results in this indicator with an increase of 16 inspections more than in 2022, an indicator related to the fact of the high concentration of businesses that develop economic activity in this region and to a higher awareness of employed employees in these entities to address their concerns for solutions", - writes ISHPSH in a report published on the official website for the year 2023, during which 800 complaints and requests were filed with this institution.
Meanwhile, Muçaj emphasizes that companies with more than 50 employees have a legal obligation to set up the Occupational Health Insurance Council, which is an instrument that works in a formal sense, while on the practical side there is still work to be done. done. One reason why this organization does not work in the country, according to Muçaj, is related to the fact that everything is done voluntarily.
"The Occupational Health Insurance Council is an element that works, but not 100 percent of the time, as there are cases when things are done formally. The records become regular, because it is one of the conditions of the Labor Inspectorate when it comes for control",- says Muçaj in "Sinjalizo", underlining that it raises issues related to the safety of buildings, emergency stairs and evacuation tests in case of fire.
Albania, European in laws but not in implementation
Since 2010, Albania has approved a LAW new for ensuring health at work based on the directives of the European Union, aimed at risk prevention, risk assessment at work, taking into account all aspects of work. Also, Albania has been supported with technical assistance by the ILO (International Labor Organization) to draft the Policy document and the Action Plan for Safety and Health at Work for the years 2016-2020.
Frosina Gjino, director of the Albanian Occupational Safety and Health Center (AOSHC), tells "Sinjalizo" that despite the fact that the safety situation of Albanian employees has changed compared to the period before 2010, the implementation of Albanian legislation still faces difficulties.
According to her, having laws similar to developed countries helps to improve the situation of Albanian employees, but it cannot be effective if it is not recognized by employees and employers. The latter should learn more about the rights and obligations of each party.
"As long as the legislations are almost the same, the implementation should be the same", - emphasizes Gjino, continuing, -"because work relations are a contract. Just as the employee has the duty to implement the contract in terms of work, so do his rights in the contract".
The director of AOSHC indicates that, in addition to workers in the construction sector, the most exposed to the risk of accidents are miners and cement workers, who are also exposed to occupational diseases.
Reducing the number of deaths in workplace accidents and increasing the safety of the worker's life requires the observance of numerous measures, starting from informing how workers should be protected in different cases of accidents at work.
Renato Muçaj considers it important to improve this situation more frequent monitoring of workplaces by the Labor Inspectorate, but also the establishment of action manuals in special situations.
"Sometimes even the companies themselves do not know and should be informed more often by the state institutions about the obligations they have in the area of security. An incident happens and they don't know how to handle it." concludes Muçaj for "Signalizo".
Worker deaths are not just statistics; they are a clear and strong call for a comprehensive review of safety standards and enforcement. It is imperative for both government bodies and businesses to take workplace safety more seriously.
