Dynamic and fruitful management — KUKËS — Among the changes most noticeable in Kukës are the municipal repair-service units, recently established. Their outward appearance, the work being done, their achievements. August, the first month in which this enterprise was introduced across all 160 of its units, each with separate accounts, was, so to speak, a test of mastery of the new economic mechanism. Three sectors were cut, their entire staffing abolished, and 12 employees from these sectors transferred to the units. In conversation with the enterprise director, Xhavit Lashe, we learn that the enterprise’s organizational structure has not only been significantly reduced, but has also become more dynamic. The director himself is also responsible for two branches of the enterprise, eliminating the positions of branch heads. In this way, everyone seeks and accepts their own responsibility, as well as the solutions required by the work. This has increased achievements and the quality of services. Ramazan Hasa, head of the finance branch, says that the enterprise’s net income, as well as the state’s centralized income, is better than in any other month of the year. In general, employees have received higher wages than in other months. Some workers were paid 2,000 lekë for August, compared with the 650 lekë they received in other months. This is the case in departments such as garment sewing, refrigerator repair, etc. Moving from one department to another, it is striking that the intensity of work and productivity have increased significantly. But workers are calling for improved tools, not only to increase productivity. Meanwhile, the administration is facing stronger demands to be held accountable, especially to solve supply problems and bring operations in line with the principle of economy. The achievements of August are proof of the effectiveness of the new economic mechanism in municipal repair services. Nevertheless, some problems are emerging, such as the tendency to carry out as much production and as many services as possible for enterprises or institutions. To prevent this, strict control measures have been taken; although they encourage misguided centralism, they may sometimes be necessary. HALIL BUÇPAPAJ

— LIBRAZHD — Export targets for the period from January 1 to September 10 were exceeded by more than 20,000 tons of ferronickel and over 7,500 tons of chromium, while in August the export of bauxite doubled. Since the beginning of the year, the working class has met its targets while saving 2.5 million kilowatt-hours of electricity. Experience is proving that difficulties can be overcome through mobilization. One example is provided by the mi- [the text is unclear] where the new economic mechanism was tested. More than in July, 1,400 tons of rich chromium were produced, and exports brought in 1.2 million lekë more in products than in July, of which over 600,000 lekë came solely from the improved quality of the ore. But mobilization and concern are not the same everywhere. The woodworking collective, owing to a lack of transport and labour, is worsening its deficits. At the construction enterprise, during August each worker was absent for two days without justification. At a special meeting organized by the district Party Committee in recent days, new objectives were announced for September and beyond, so that the nine-month and annual targets would be met at all costs.

— GRAMSH — In the district of Gramsh, both total industrial production and exports, the volume of mechanized work, transport, the circulation of goods, etc., are reported as exceeding their targets. The main contributors to this achievement are the collection and processing enterprise and the mechanical plant, which completed their five-year plan some time ago. But although the “overall accounting” [the sentence is incomplete in the source], the trade-union organization of the construction enterprise [the text continues]. Taking into account the poor results for the period, it began its inspection with the management and branches and then moved on to the production departments. What did it find? That fulfilment of the task was not monitored over the period and, worse still, this was sometimes not even done every five days. As a result, the situation was not known, and work continued at the same pace even when resources needed to be multiplied. Had the enterprise director worked more carefully, naturally it would not now have a deficit of 1.6 million lekë for the eight-month period. At a meeting of the district Party Committee held in recent days, these managers were called to account for this situation. The director of the woodworking enterprise said that the quarterly target for timber production was met at only 25 percent during August because of irresponsibility and the failure to arrange the timely delivery of goods using transport vehicles. The director of the freight depot, meanwhile, cited a shortage of tires as an obstacle. There are, of course, obstacles too, but the good example refutes these excuses; it is right here in the district. Likewise, goods, etc., are exceeding their targets. The leading contribution to this achievement has come from completed the five-year plan some time ago. But although the «overall picture» looks good, some enterprises and work collectives continue to drag their feet, even though the year is coming to an end. The wood-processing enterprise, managed by Isuf Salla, and the construction enterprise, managed by Sabri Ibrahimi, have recently—particularly during August—experienced a decline in production. The shortfall in targets is most evident at the wood-processing enterprise, the repair and services enterprise, and the construction enterprise. These shortcomings are not solely the result of objective factors, a refrain currently being used often by some managers, but also of the failure to monitor the plan daily and of insufficient oversight by directorates and departments of their subordinate sectors. This was also the conclusion reached a few days ago by a workers’ inspection group that was set up

— Tirana — On the occasion of September 11, the Day of Innovators and Rationalizers, yesterday afternoon the district council of the BP of Tirana organized a meeting of innovators and rationalizers distinguished in the four regions. Also in attendance were leading cadres of Party and government bodies, mass organizations, guests from central ministries, research and scientific institutions, chairpersons of trade-union committees, social activists, etc. Also present were the member of the Political Bureau of the Party’s Central Committee and Minister of Industry, Mines and Energy, Comrade Besnik Bekteshi; Committee and Minister of Transport, Comrade Hajredin Çeliku; the chairman of the Executive Committee of the district People’s Council, Lambi Gegprifti; the secretary of the district Party Committee, Pirro Kondi; and other comrades. On behalf of the Party Committee, the Executive Committee of the People’s Council and the district BP Council, the participants were greeted and wished a happy holiday by Aristidh Thaka, chairman of the district BP Council. During one year in this district of the General Council of BP-SH [the source text breaks off]. — Elbasan — The innovators and rationalizers of the Elbasan district came to their celebration with a series of achievements. For example, 33 new departments and production lines were established, with an economic benefit of 20 million lekë. 127 new products were manufactured. On the occasion of September 11, the district BP Council organized a gathering at the ferrochrome plant of the district’s outstanding innovators and rationalizers. Panait Carapuli, Director of the General Directorate of Mechanical Industry, spoke on behalf of the General Council of BP-SH and also presented the council’s banner to the Elbasan district for its good achievements in the innovation movement. At this gathering, the first secretary of the district Party Committee, Sulejman Pepa, also addressed the participants. — Berat — The innovators and rationalizers of Berat came to their celebration with a strong record of achievements. From September 11 of last year until now, 650 proposals out of 692 approved have been put into effect; 960 different products were manufactured for the first time, and 10 new production lines were established, including at the textile combine and in the industrial area of Qyteti Stalin, etc. To learn about these successes, yesterday a meeting of innovators was organized at the textile combine, attended not only by outstanding workers and specialists in this movement but also by se- [the text breaks off].

The Council of Trade Unions of the Korçë district organized a thematic event yesterday, attended by outstanding innovators, leading workers, specialists from various fields, etc. Also present were the first secretary of the district Party Committee, Comrade Vangjel Çërrava; Council, Gjergji Krastafilaku; and others. Those present were greeted by Nesti Dhimitri, chairman of the district Council of Trade Unions. Over the past year, 1,050 proposals have been implemented in this district; 190 machines have been repaired and put back into operation; new production lines and factories have been established; and 600 new products have been manufactured, etc. On this occasion, the banner was presented to the Korçë district for its achievements in the innovation movement.

The innovators and rationalizers of the Shkodër district, putting into practice the advice and instructions Comrade Ramiz Alia gave them five years ago at their conference, have become a powerful support for uninterrupted economic and social development. Their movement includes more than 6,000 leading workers and specialists from various fields. Over the past year, 3,273 proposals have been implemented in this district, 16 production lines and departments have been opened, and nearly 600 new products have been manufactured, etc. At the electric-wire plant alone, they were put into operation Workers Andon Bezhani and Isuf Alia are among the most outstanding at the “Kast-riot Muço” mechanical plant in Vlorë. (Photo: N. Xhufka) Workers Andon Bezhani and Isuf Alia are among the most outstanding at the “Kast-riot Muço” mechanical plant in Vlorë. (Photo: N. Xhufka)

production, for the first time, of 900 different articles, as well as the establishment of 10 new production lines, such as at the textile combine, in the industrial district of Qyteti Stalin, etc. To learn about these achievements, a meeting of innovators was held yesterday at the textile combine. In addition to employees and specialists distinguished in this movement, it was attended by the First Secretary of the District Party Committee, Hysen Shahu, the Chairman of the District Executive Committee of the People’s Council, Stavri Rista, and other comrades. On behalf of the General Council of the BPSH, the council’s delegate, the Chairman of the Committee for Science and Technology, Ajet Ylli, offered greetings. A number of innovators were given moral and material incentives, while amateur groups presented an artistic program. - Gjirokastër - The meeting of distinguished innovators and rationalizers of the district was also Matnxhar Binaj, Council, Flamur Cani, and other comrades. During this year, 1,000 proposals to increase labor productivity, find solutions for mechanization, etc., have been implemented in this district. A production line for velenxa was set up at the handicrafts enterprise, and the project for reconstructing the tobacco and cigarette factory was completed. On behalf of the General Council of the BPSH, greetings were offered by the First General Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Sulejman Bushati, who also presented the Council’s flag, awarded to the Gjirokastër district for its good achievements this year in developing the technical and scientific revolution. Such events were also organized in other districts of the country. (According to ATSH)

A line for producing foam rubber has begun to be built at the «Misto Mame» wood combine in Tirana. Construction is highly beneficial to the economy. This will make it possible to produce spring sofas in the future, saving the economy scarce raw materials worth 357.8 thousand lek per year. Meanwhile, domestic production of foam rubber yields a benefit of 131.2 thousand dollars for every 100 tons. The line will meet the wood industry’s demand for 300 tons of foam rubber a year. This line had been planned for this six-month period, instead of 190 thousand dollars from the State Bank. It will be made difficult within four months. According to the contract drawn up with the West German firm «Hennecke», the line was expected on schedule, and the machinery and equipment arrived at the site at the end of March this year. It was planned to begin operating in April. Up to that point, everything went normally. Then the delays began. Work has often been interrupted by the construction enterprise. As we learn, it is now said that the line will be completed in October. But then, who will answer for about five months of lost production? The losses are not small; they are calculated at 69 thousand dollars! Correspondent of «Zëri i popullit»

The Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, Comrade Ramiz Alia, sent the following congratulatory telegram to the President of the People’s Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Mengistu Haile Mariam: «On the occasion of Ethiopia’s national holiday, I send you, and through you the friendly Ethiopian people, warm greetings and best wishes for the progress and prosperity of your country. I wish that the friendship and cooperation between Albania and Ethiopia will continue to develop, in the interests of both our peoples.» (ATSH)

the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, Comrade Ramiz Alia, yesterday received Jorma Inki, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Finland to the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, who presented his credentials. The ceremony for the presentation of credentials was attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Reis Malile; the Secretary of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Sihat Tozaj; the Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Andon Berxholi; and others. (ATSH)

Yesterday, the delegation of the People’s Republic of Albania, headed by the Minister of Justice, Enver Hoxha, returned to the Homeland. It had taken part in the Eighth Congress of the United Nations on the prevention of crime and the treatment of offenders, whose proceedings were held in Havana. The Minister of Health, Ahmet Kamberi, and other comrades had come to Rinasi Airport to welcome the delegation. Also present was Pablo Romero, the chargé d’affaires of the People’s Republic of Cuba in the People’s Republic of Albania. (ATSH)

Announcement of the Council of Ministers of the PSRA The Council of Ministers, in fulfilment of the task set by the 11th Plenum of the Central Committee, reviewed and approved the study “On increasing low wages,” which revises the current wage-scale system and provides for a series of measures and adjustments in this area. The Council of Ministers decided that: 1. All monthly wages up to 450 lekë shall be increased by up to 20 percent. 2. Monthly wages from 450 to 550 lekë shall be increased by up to 10 percent. 3. To preserve the necessary relationships between categories of processes and jobs, as well as between workers’ qualification levels, upward adjustments shall also be made to wages below 600 lekë. 4. Jobs and work processes classified in the first category shall be equated with those in the second category and paid at the same rate as the latter. These improvements will benefit 480,000 employees in various branches of the economy and 162,000 agricultural workers, increasing the wage fund by approximately 430 million lekë per year. Consequently, from now on the lowest level of the nominal monthly wage will be 450 lekë, compared with the current 350 lekë, while the average monthly wage for workers will reach approximately 570 lekë, compared with the current 523 lekë. The Council of Ministers’ decision will take effect on October 1 of this year. The Council of Ministers instructs all ministries and other central institutions, as well as the executive committees of the people’s councils of the districts, to take the necessary measures for the full implementation of this decision. At the same time, it expresses its conviction that our working class and all employees will respond to these favourable measures by further increasing their mobilization at work and spirit of initiative, in order to increase production and services, raise labour productivity, and strengthen the regime of economy. The social advantages of our social order are guaranteed and strengthened by increasing the country’s economic potential. COUNCIL OF MINISTERS OF THE PEOPLE’S SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA Tirana, 10.9.1990.