Serial demonstrations, mass movements

International Workers’ Day was marked in Albania with a protest organized by the Union of Trade Unions of Albania in front of the Ministry of Economy of Albania.Participants held banners reading “A worker’s life is not a business cost” and “Wages to live, not to survive,” calling for better working conditions and increased workers’ rights. The protest saw limited participation and a noticeable absence of young people.Among the demands raised were the creation of a dedicated ministry for labor and the establishment of a dignified living minimum income.The head of the Union of Trade Unions of Albania, Kondi Lija, stated that May 1 should serve as a day of protest rather than celebration. He raised concerns over the increase in workplace accidents and fatalities, claiming that deaths at work have risen by 45% compared to a year ago, while accidents have doubled. Lija called for increased institutional inspections and the approval of a living minimum in Parliament.At the same time, another protest is taking place in front of the Prime Minister’s Office of Albania, organized by the Confederation of Trade Unions of Albania.