Kurum is closed, 500 unemployed! Confederation of Trade Unions: Inflated investments for unfair benefits, we are on the side of the employees

2024-08-26 16:10:00, Sociale CNA

Kurum is closed, 500 unemployed! Confederation of Trade Unions: Inflated

The unemployment of all 500 employees of Kurum, after the company's statement about its closure, has brought the reaction of the Confederation of Trade Unions of Albania.

Through a statement to the media, the president of the General Assembly of the KSSH, Col. Nikolaj, stated that the KSSH will be on the side and represent the employees.

"Regarding the public notices for the termination of the employment contract for 500 employees, we explain that this has not happened to date. KSSH denounces the employer's attempts to talk with leaders or groups of employees without the appropriate legal legitimacy and without legal representation in the union structures , local or national, KSSH informs the public and all employees of the company "Kurum International" that, just like in 2002, 2008, 2016 or 2021, KSSH will be on their side and in their dignified representation and professional advocacy. he said.

According to him, KURUM has made inflated investments for unfair benefits.

"KSSH thinks and is convinced that the "rabbit" sleeps somewhere else. First of all, the company "Kurum International" sha is unorganized, unstructured and unable to cope with the global situation of the price of iron and its slag waste, which China is influencing a lot in the price increase. The investments made in the continuation, especially those of the rolling mill, have been unsuccessful and probably inflated on purpose. Second, the company "Kurum International" must understand that the time has come that it cannot to further manipulate workers' rights or economic freedom in our country. This company must be prepared to face the success and reformation of our society in the system of justice and good governance within the framework of the opening of our country and its European standardization in every field," he said.

Full statement:

Pronouncement of KSSH regarding the situation created in labor relations in the company "Kurum International" sha Elbasan.

The Confederation of Trade Unions of Albania in fulfillment of its mission, the statute and the labor legislation in force nationally and internationally ratified by our country is following closely and closely the situation created these days regarding the labor relations in the company "Kurum International" I said.

Regarding the public notices for the termination of the employment contract for 500 employees, we explain that this has not happened to date. KSSH denounces the employer's attempts to talk with leaders or groups of employees without proper legal legitimacy and without legal representation in union, local or national structures.

KSSH informs the public and all the employees of the company "Kurum International" that, just like in 2002, 2008, 2016 or in 2021, KSSH will be on their side and in their dignified representation and professional advocacy.

Currently, since the beginning of August, this company has gone through the repair of the steel factory and these days the rolling factory has been partially suspended, this in a sudden and unplanned way. By agreement between the parties, the employees are taking their annual vacations until the end of this month.

KSSH is consulting closely with state structures and is preparing its legal and professional capacities to face any unexpected events which are apparently unavoidable, such as "collective dismissal" or immediate movement of the employer in the direction of the CCA or the court to change the active regime or to go into bankruptcy intentionally.

KSSH thinks and is convinced that the "rabbit" sleeps somewhere else. First of all, the company "Kurum International" sha is unorganized, unstructured and unable to cope with the world situation of the price of iron and its slag waste, where China is greatly influencing the price increase. Subsequent investments, especially those of the rolling mill, have been unsuccessful and perhaps deliberately inflated for unfair benefits.

Secondly, the company "Kurum International" must understand that the time has come when it can no longer be manipulated with workers' rights or economic freedom in our country. This company must be prepared to cope with the success and reformation of our society in the system of justice and good governance within the framework of the opening of our country and its European standardization in every field.

For 25 years, this company, like many other businesses or employers, has been the privileged of every government. The gullible governments of 2002 that forgave the oxygen and lime factories, of 2007 that approved the making of dubious investments for production capacity of 550,000 tons/year or in 2010, 700,00 tons/year.

The VAT refund in 2012 of 4 hydropower plants as "strategic privatization". Without forgetting the ROT concession contract of 2013 for the Cërrik refinery, etc. These clearly show the tangent and political influences of the Albanian governments in the future, evaluating this company as pampered and favored.

KSSH continues to be aware of the bankruptcy situation announced by this company in 2016, as well as the questionable diversification of its portfolio in minerals and energy. This situation is turning every day before our eyes. The failure to provide information and the failure to pronounce for the public by the company as well as by the responsible state structures increases our suspicion on the deliberate manipulation of this situation.

KSSH calls on the workers of Elbasan but also on all citizens to increase their vigilance and have faith in the trade unions as their loyal advocates. Not to be manipulated or divided by any pseudo-unionist charlatan or state employees and leaders of any instance, or any bone thrown by the employer as a compromise on their backs.

For the above, KSSH is urgently consulting with international trade union structures, especially the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) as well as the Economic and Social Council (EESC) of the European Union in order to receive all the necessary assistance and to cope with whatever circumstances we may soon find ourselves in.

The General Assembly of KSSH. President, Col. Nikolaj/ CNA