– Prompted by a national meeting on the working environment – These days, a working meeting on the problems of improving health services in enterprises was held at the «Enver Hoxha» Auto-Tractor Combine. At this meeting, organized by the Council of Ministers, the General Council of the BPSH and the Ministry of Health, many important issues concerning the significance of occupational medicine were addressed. What is the role and responsibility of the doctor at the health center? What more should be done to improve the doctor’s qualifications, also taking into account the specific features of the enterprise where each doctor works? What responsibilities do administrations have for improving employees’ working conditions? What should the relationship be between the enterprise doctor, the BP organization and the administration on issues concerning employees’ health in the enterprise? Why is the role of a healthy workplace and good working conditions in workers’ health conceived so narrowly? These were some of the issues examined at length, both in the main discussion delivered by the Minister of Health, Ahmet Kamberi, and by others who asked questions, sought clarification and took part in the discussion. From this meeting, we would like to focus on one issue that seems quite important to us and that prompted genuine debate: why does the state sanitary inspectorate take a lenient stance toward actions that damage and endanger employees’ health? The duties, role and powers of the state sanitary inspectorate have also been written about in the press on previous occasions. In some cases, the work, public health and their authority. More specifically: the chief engineer of the «Josif Pashko» combine said in his discussion that the combine’s cement factory uses very outdated technology. This also means that the quality of the cement is very poor. This backward technology is the cause of the very severe pollution created by the factory, not only in the combine but also in nearby residential areas, such as the Lapraka district. Pollution is several times higher than the permitted standards. The relevant ministry has therefore been asked to close the factory. This would cause no problems for production or the workforce. The factory’s entire output could easily be produced at the Fushë-Krujë cement factory—and at much higher quality. That factory is able to do so because it has spare production capacity. The available workforce could be assigned to other jobs at the combine. Nevertheless, the sanitary inspectorate has not closed this factory! That was all the chief engineer said in his discussion. The arguments put forward by Tirana’s sanitary inspectors—that they had been obstructed by the ministry—do not seem convincing to us. We say this because they have never even tried to close the factory and see how the Ministry of Construction would respond. Examples of such lenient attitudes by sanitary inspectors can be found in Tirana, but also in many other districts. In practice, there are also some rather astonishing cases. Every year, various industrial facilities are built, yet new designs sometimes fail to provide for the necessary measures to ensure normal working conditions. What is more, these designs are not submitted to the state sanitary inspectorate for approval, as required by law. And what happens? The new bread factory and the brewer’s yeast factory are built in Ti-[?] ... must under no circumstances allow any facility to be designed, let alone built and accepted, without the necessary conditions to protect employees’ health. Even when signing off on and approving such designs, sanitary inspectors must not do so as a mere formality, as sometimes happens, but must subject them to the most thorough scrutiny possible. It must not be forgotten that nothing should be spared when it comes to people’s health. If something is designed or implemented to make construction cheaper and easier, that does not mean that the necessary sanitary facilities, modern ventilation and lighting systems, etc., should be compromised. ... during which there was liberal stance toward actions that harm and endanger workers’ previous occasions. In some cases, even justified criticism has not been properly welcomed. Nevertheless, the examples presented at the meeting demonstrate that this very important body within our healthcare system is, in not a few cases, failing to meet the demands of the times and the powers conferred on it by law today. It is rare to find another inspectorate in our country with as many powers as the sanitary inspectorate. Yet these powers often remain on paper and are not exercised. There is considerable pressure from the managers of enterprises, cooperatives, institutions, and even ministries on sanitary inspectors, urging them not to intervene decisively when hygiene and sanitation rules are violated, even though this harms public health. This is true. But it must be said emphatically that there are many examples of sanitary inspectors backing down at even the slightest pressure instead of standing firm, thereby doing a disservice

One announcement after another ● Workers’ collectives in the district of Lushnjë exceeded their targets for total industrial production from the beginning of the year through June 10 by 14 million lekë. ● In the district of Kolonjë, during the period from January to June 5, industrial production worth 1 million 480 thousand lekë above the plan was delivered, and revenues were also substantially exceeded. ● Livestock farmers in the district of Gramsh have so far produced more than 6,200 quintals of milk above the assigned target. With this overfulfillment, they have also achieved the targets set for the first six months. ● Employees of enterprises in the trade system in the district of Tropojë exceeded the five-month targets for merchandise turnover at settlement prices by 1 percent. Partial view of the urea plant in Fier. (Photo: N. Xhufka)

It was difficult to have a one-on-one «interview» with Aleko Posh[n]jari, beach specialist at the Ministry of Communal Economy. People from Tirana and the districts kept coming and going, all with the same request: beach cabins, affordable, in sufficient numbers and well made. This is only natural. The summer season is almost here. Durrës and Vlora, Shëngjin and Pogradec, Saranda and the entire coast, as well as other places, are already feeling the first waves of holidaymakers. But what has been planned for vacationers? What preparations have been made? Aleko Posh[n]jari: – We normally accommodate around 20,000 vacationers in beach cabins every 15 days. We are not saying that is a lot. What is special this year is that conditions have been improved in some of the cabins, in the outdoor recreational areas, and in the range of commercial services. A building with 124 rooms is under construction at Durrës beach. – As far as we know, its foundations were laid three years ago? – That’s right. The construction enterprise in Durrës has pledged to put 50 rooms into service by July 1, but... we think that will be difficult. – Because it is seen as a burden... – In previous years we had no funds; two years ago we did not build those facilities. This year, Durrës really is paying more attention to the beach. – It has been suggested that the districts themselves should build at the beach? – If the districts offer those opportunities «voluntarily», why not harness them through a plan and have a construction enterprise for the beach? – Durrës beach, especially on Sundays, gets extremely crowded. As many as 100,000 people go there. People prefer to go farther along, to Currila, Golem and even Rrushkull. – In recent years, as many as 10,000 people a day have gone to Shkëmbi i Kavajës. But there has been a lack of water, municipal services and commercial services. This year the direct-access campsite will be completed, where, for a token fee, perhaps 30 qindarka, people will be able to enter an area with showers, taps, ornamental plants, picnic facilities, shops and motorcycle parking-[?] – Perhaps the idea of day camps should be expanded. Durrës is so close to Tirana, Shëngjin is 10 km from ... build accommodation buildings on a scale that meets the huge demand at the height of summer. We wrote to the Ministry of Transport about this issue and spoke with Comrades Qemal Bino, director of railway transport, and Lig[o]r Gjoka, head of the passenger road transport department, who told us: – During the summer season, all passenger trains stop at Durrës beach on Sundays and on the dates when holiday shifts change. On the Tirana–Durrës line, a special train runs on Sundays to provide residents with transport there and back. Meanwhile, on weekdays, the bus fleet makes 7–8 vehicles available to enterprises, as requested; on Sundays, even more are provided. – Are demands being met? – On July 29 alone last year, 90,000 train tickets were sold. Perhaps in terms of numbers, our trains and those of the enterprises do move people around, but the standard of service is inadequate. There is no doubt that more trains, carriages and buses would be needed, but there are overall difficulties. First of all, the Vorë–Rrogozhinë railway line is operating at maximum capacity. The times make it necessary to add a parallel railway line. – To avoid overcrowding in Durrës, could the train, as on Sundays, stop at Shkëmbi i Kavajës and go as far as Golem? – A passing loop would be needed at Shkëmbi i Kavajës; perhaps at Golem too, but so far this has been handled by local bus service. Perhaps a Durrës–Shkëmbi i Kavajës local bus line would be needed. – What about the other beaches? – We provide additional buses, but the districts concerned are directly responsible for operating the service. One thing is clear: we do need better buses. The introduction of express trains on the Tirana–Pogradec, Tirana–Shkodër and Tirana–Fier routes, within the existing number of trains, will also help improve services. The Pogradec line, in particular, is more heavily used, so a separate Pogradec–Rrogozhinë–Fier line is being considered. Especially these points are under consideration. The people we spoke with thought that they were facing a number ... in the Lushnjë district, the targets from the beginning of the year through June 10, perhaps at a cost of 30 qindarka, will enter the Middle Ages, where there will be tents, ornamental fountains, retail outlets, motorcycle parking, etc. - Wouldn’t it be a good idea to have day camps? from Lezha, Seman is 18 km from Fier, Divjaka is 40 km from Lushnja, Pato-ku is 10 km from Kruja, Velipoja is 24 km from Shkodra, Delvina and Gjirokastra are 20 and 50 km from Saranda, etc., etc. - I think it is more productive to invest in transport, so that people can go to the beach during the day and return home in the evening, rather than build camps... ... at a symbolic price, perhaps 30 qindarka, they ornamental fountains, retail outlets, motorcycle parking, etc. - day and return home in the evening, rather than ...

The 14th Conference of the National Commissions of the Balkan countries for UNESCO continued its work yesterday morning. The participating delegations discussed the final item on the agenda. They made observations and suggestions and exchanged views on several points in the final minutes of countries for UNESCO. After several additions and clarifications, to which they agreed, the commissions approved this final conference document. The chairman of the Committee for Culture and the Arts, prof. Alfred Uçi, and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Muhamet Kappallani, were also present at the closing session. Also present were heads of the diplomatic missions of the Balkan countries accredited in Tirana. Taking the floor, the representative of the Director-General of UNESCO, Ahdi Ngoma, thanked the hosts for their hospitality and noted that, in terms of quality and results, this conference was a great success in creating an atmosphere of friendship and cooperation in the Balkans. During the visits we made to several districts, he said, we also saw at first hand Albania’s precious cultural heritage. Then greetings were delivered by the head of the Yugoslav delegation, dr. Punisha Pavlloviç; the head of the Bulgarian delegation, prof. Lubomir Dramalev; the head of the Romanian delegation, Mihai Gulu; the head of the Turkish delegation, Gel Oljmak; and the head of the Greek delegation, Nikolas Papageorgiu. They praised the organizers’ excellent work at the conference, which was characterized by a spirit of friendship and a desire and determination to put into practice the proposals and commitments concerning the issues addressed by the national commissions of the Balkan countries for UNESCO. The closing address of Countries for UNESCO was delivered by the chairman of the conference, prof. Sofokli Lazri. The closing session thus concluded (Continued on page 4)

The Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, Adil Çarçani, will make an official and friendly visit to Turkey toward the end of June, at the invitation of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey, Yildirim Akbulut. This high-level visit is taking place within the framework of the further development and strengthening of close and friendly relations and cooperation between Albania and Turkey. (ATSH)

In the district of Tepelenë, the harvesting campaign is at its peak. In the plots along the Vjosa, combine harvesters are now working extended hours, despite some shortages in supplies. The goal is to finish harvesting in the fields by June 26. Many young people have also come to help from Gjirokastra, Erseka and some other districts. But what stands out most during these peak days in agriculture is the work of cooperative youth harvesting wheat. With its extremely rugged terrain, Tepelena has to harvest around 3,000 hectares of wheat by hand. There are farms such as Zhapokika and areas such as Kamçishti, Xhaxhaj, Rabia, Selcka and Buzi where more than 80 percent of the area is harvested by hand. To fulfill this difficult task in the shortest possible time, the young people have pledged to harvest one dynym of wheat each per day. So far, more than 500 hectares have been harvested by hand across the district, and this is being done by most of the young people. “The truth is, we get tired,” says the young woman Lumturi Resuli, who is in this photograph, “but we are determined that the harvest ...” The people’s bread must not be left behind. Let the crop not go to waste. The young people of the Qesarat cooperative, where this young woman works, have decided to harvest more comfortably the wheat that has ripened at a time when there is more machinery available. The youth organization to which Lumturi Resuli belongs achieves 130 percent of its daily quota. (Photo: Dh. Kocoli)

- DURRËS - Agricultural export targets for this year have also increased in Durrës. Mobilization and responsibility have increased in response. Over the first five months, targets for the production of tomatoes, cucumbers, leeks, etc. have been exceeded. In terms of value, agricultural exports for this period reached 134 percent. This is also a good basis for meeting the annual targets. The organization and specialization of brigades or particular export sectors is effective. At district level there are 70 brigades and 2 specialized sectors, which will be expanded further. Likewise, improving forms of remuneration has further encouraged the work. In particular, in protected environments, remuneration according to work plans and piece rates for field vegetables has been introduced, and these practices continue to be developed. Warm environments account for the largest share of vegetable exports. Durrës has 168 greenhouses, of which 15 ha are heated, 42 ha are glass-covered and 111 ha are covered with plastic. Their effectiveness has been good. For every hectare of heated greenhouse, 880 thousand lekë in income has been secured; in solar greenhouses, 359 thousand lekë per hectare. After deducting ... (Continued on page 2)