After sharp debates in the government on 15.5.1992, with the President of the Republic, Mr. Sali Berisha, also present, the International Monetary Fund program concerning economic reform was approved. Under these necessary circumstances, Prime Minister Meta created the opportunity for the material concerning the International Monetary Fund program, which was discussed at that meeting, to be published so that our public could become familiar with it. In this way, the President’s call for transparency, intended to build understanding of the difficulties we face, is also fulfilled. THE EDITORIAL OFFICE

- Notice from the Socialist Party spokesperson - On 15 May, at around 8:15, President of the Republic Sali Berisha met with PS Vice-Chairman Spiro Dede, whom he informed that the government would meet that same day under his direction and decide on abolishing the 80-percent payment. Mr. Berisha said its abolition was demanded by the start of reform here, and was also being insistently demanded by the IMF and other international institutions. “In principle,” said PS Vice-Chairman Spiro Dede, “the Socialist Party has held, and continues to hold, the view that the 80 percent should be abolished. As for how this necessary measure is to be carried out under the extremely difficult economic conditions in which Albania finds itself, particularly given the extreme poverty of working families, the material the government will discuss today would better clarify matters for us.” President Berisha said that there was no specific material on this issue. The abolition of the 80-percent payment, he declared, was a comprehensive, single decision. From 1 July onward, it would no longer operate. From that date, anyone who no longer works and does not produce will be transferred to Social Assistance, a solution, institution and mechanism adopted by market economies. These will also be introduced here. During the discussion, which was conducted in a spirit of concern about this extremely acute problem and its significant, far-reaching consequences, and also at its conclusion, the PSSH representative essentially emphasized: a) The abolition of the 80-percent payment, the transition to the Social Assistance mechanism, and the other measures to be taken for the Reform must in no way undermine people’s subsistence, particularly that of workers. This applies especially to those who have neither savings from the past nor other resources of this kind. b) Transfer to Social Assistance must not become an end in itself, nor a pretext for leaving enterprises, particularly workers’ enterprises, to fend for themselves. The response to their socialist exploitation and administration, particularly, could seriously involve [unclear] above all in recovering that loss. (Continued on page 2)

- Conversation with the economist and member of the PSSH Central Committee, Comrade Leont’ev Çuçi - Question: What is your opinion on abolishing the 80-percent payment? Answer: First of all, I wish to clarify my personal position and that of the Socialist Party on this issue. Regardless of the factors and reasons that led to the introduction of the 80-percent payment as pay without working—that is, as compensation from society or the state budget without making any contribution in return—this measure was, and will remain, an extremely heavy burden for as long as it remains in force: an absurd and illogical paradox. No society can function by distributing money without work and production. In this sense, abolishing the 80-percent payment is a necessity and an imperative for making way for normal economic development and reform toward a market economy. Given our budget deficit and the general urgency of our finances, its abolition is also urgent. So, in principle, I fully agree that the 80-percent payment should be abolished as soon as possible. But I believe the key question is how this payment should be abolished, by what route and methods, and what social consequences might result from this action. Question: In this context, how do you assess the President’s decision to abolish the 80-percent payment? Answer: The fact that no information has been provided about how this issue will be dealt with, by what route the 80-percent payment will be abolished, or what methods and mechanisms will be used, etc., leads to the conclusion that such an action would be carried out through administrative methods and channels. Such a solution could also be irrational, especially given its harmful economic and social consequences. Without denying the role and importance of administrative methods in every transition process, relying on these methods alone to find economic solutions is entirely bureaucratic and destructive. These methods presume resolving the matter once and for all, at a distance, without taking account of economic solutions or society’s obligations at every step it takes. It is always easier to make a decision and transfer the army of 115,000 employees who are paid 80 percent of their existing wages to social assistance. Even if the social assistance law were adjusted and supplemented so as to preserve unemployed workers’ standard of living at a level guaranteed by the 80-percent payment, a solution based on work [unclear] could make things even harder for them. It has also made things harder for workers to be moved from the 80-percent payment… (Continued on page 2)

The working class must not be ruined - Alfred Xhomo, Secretary General of the Confederation of Trade Unions of Albania - Yesterday the President urgently summoned the Chairman of the Confederation, Comrade Kastrot Muço. He was not here. I was also away dealing with some matters with a dictator [as printed]. Eventually, the meeting took place through the chairman of the Education Federation, Xhafer Dobrusha. - Alfred Xhomo, Secretary General of the Confederation of Trade Unions of Albania - Yesterday the President urgently summoned the Chairman of the Confederation, Comrade Kastrot Muço. He was not here. I was also away dealing with some matters with a dictator [as printed]. Eventually, the meeting took place through the chairman of the Education Federation, Xhafer Dobrusha. We have been asking the Government for some time to abolish the 80-percent payment. But on one condition: that the working class not be ruined. In other words, a way must be found to regulate social assistance. Workers do not want handouts; they want work. The explanation given by the Minister of Economy and Finance, Mr. Gërxho Ruli, is not convincing to us. The Government knows what to do; the only thing is that workers must not be left wondering how they will manage to live. They have been tightening their belts for a long time. Xhafer Dobrusha - chairman of the Education Federation. I went to see the President. The decree had been prepared. I told him, Comrade, that we must not make the decision immediately. In other words, there should be a period of time to place people [in jobs], so that there will not be a small number of workers to replace them. First and foremost, we are asking for raw materials to arrive so that work can begin, not for assistance. Any measures should also be arranged in such a way as to ensure the minimum standard of living. In any case, the Government should think about jobs, not about leaving workers at the mercy of assistance. We trade unions have expressed, and continue to express, our position in a manner consistent with the reform. There will be hardship, but the working class must not be struck down. Interview by: BASHKIM KOÇI

DOES THE GOVERNMENT KNOW ABOUT THIS CITIZEN’S PREDICAMENT? PEOPLE ARE IGNORING THE CHERRIES?! Never has the capital’s market had so many cherries. They are beautiful, so much so that they seem to light up the shop windows. I feel sorry when I see passers-by walking right past without paying them any attention. How can they not be tempted by those colorful displays and that presentation? I move closer to discover the secret. A small economic detail catches my eye: 30 lekë a kilo. It is the first fruit to bring people joy after a fruitless winter. Apparently, this can happen only in a time of deep realism. What is the price index? I don’t know of any deflation being reported. [Fragmentary, unclear text follows in the source.] At the market “më rasa” was 285, an increase of 185 percent compared with December 1990. A record: 12 percent every month. Is there any standard or moral limit to this? [Unclear.] But how would I know? Silence. How long can this go on? SH. M. (ILLUSTRATION: NIKOLLA MULLISHI)

Also in connection with the decision to abolish the 80-percent payment, which was discussed by the relevant bodies, we heard from PS’s Anastas Angjeli. Question: Comrade Anastas, what is your view of the decision to abolish the 80-percent payment? Answer: I have always considered the existence of the 80-percent payment a completely absurd, uneconomic and anti-reform mechanism. The consequences its operation has brought about over all these years for the economy and the Albanian people have been extremely negative. Therefore, in principle, I have agreed and continue to agree with abolishing the 80-percent payment. But in my opinion, such a decision must take three main conditions into account. First, the legal procedure for instituting and abolishing this payment: whether this falls within the authority of the government, parliament or the president. Second, I support an economic solution to this problem, not an administrative one. Third, the socioeconomic consequences for our population, among the poorest in the world, must be taken into account. Question: Specifically regarding the last point, what socioeconomic consequences will result from the decision to abolish the 80-percent payment? Answer: I want to emphasize that abolishing the 80-percent payment should not be viewed as an isolated, separate action, but as part of the Meta cabinet’s program, including the entirety of its policies and other social consequences, etc. On this issue, I believe the 80-percent payment should be abolished only after [unclear]. Around 250,000 people are unemployed, and around 100,000 more are [unclear], while from July this will be accompanied by the liberalization (increase) of retail prices, which after this period will bring inflation up to 600 percent. All this at a time when our population’s wages and family budgets will undergo a drastic reduction in their subsistence level, by 40 percent. On the other hand, making such a decision to abolish the 80-percent payment at this moment deprives workers of the chance to participate in the state program in which they are currently employed and, consequently, in the privatization of these enterprises. The problem is simple: before the process of privatizing state enterprises begins, workers are dismissed, and in this way, regardless of the form in which they might become owners (through shares, purchase or membership), they cannot achieve this. In other words, they are left “with a finger in their mouth.” So who will be the new owners of these properties? (Continued on page 2)

THE FATE OF ARTICLE 53 OF THE LABOUR CODE When we speak of abolishing the 80-percent payment, in fact we are dealing with the amendment or repeal of Article 53 of the Labour Code. It provides for compensation for a worker or employee when work is suspended through no fault of their own and the administration of the enterprise, institution or social organization does not provide them with another job. This has been a requirement of the Labour Code since 1950, although the amount has changed: not 80 percent, but 50 percent. As such, only the legislative body—the People’s Assembly—has the right to amend or repeal this article. This is a requirement of legislation and of the rule of law. While the People’s Assembly is functioning, the President of the Republic has no right to enact laws. Therefore, one should speak of a draft decision by parliament or the government, which must be approved by parliament. The President is thus only facing Parliament. Meanwhile, I believe that economic reform and the transition to a market economy should not begin by [unclear]; workers too must be included in employment relations when work is suspended for reasons beyond the worker’s control, among other circumstances. (Continued on page 2)

Durrës in an “undeclared” strike ● Of 60 enterprises in Durrës, 5 or 6 are working - ● In the district, the PD are gripped by seat fever - ● Of 60 enterprises in Durrës, 5 or 6 are working - ● In the district, the PD are gripped by seat fever - Durrës welcomed the democratic changes without pandering to the people of this city, better than anywhere else. With patience, calm and dignity. The citizens of Durrës did not make a fuss, did not burn or destroy anything themselves, as happened in many other cities. Even when there were incidents that somewhat disturbed the peace, they were mostly the work of “imported hooligans” who came from neighboring cities to [unclear] and set Durrës ablaze. But the people did not support them. The people did not feed the impulse to destroy themselves. Hearts disappointed by the two mass exoduses of 1991, when around 15,000 emigrants left, endured nobly and continued to hope for a better life. It is a fact that despite the difficult economic situation, those who emigrated and truly went abroad to work and earn have made up for some of the shortfalls and helped prevent their families’ standard of living from declining further. And this is little to soften the severe crisis of recent months, because perhaps the people of Durrës see sugar, flour, rice and oil being unloaded at the port and in the city’s shops, but then they walk away having received practically none of it. But can people live on aid alone? Can they work, and when will raw materials reach Durrës’s enterprises? This is the question of the day that troubles ordinary working people. Of nearly 60 large enterprises in the Durrës district, only 5 or 6 are working. The rest have fallen completely silent, and here and there perhaps struggle just to stay alive. To be more realistic, Durrës has its industrial [unclear] and the “Pelican” operation, whose enterprises have not worked for even a single day. It is said jokingly that only these [unclear] are working in the city; otherwise there would be no [unclear] in Durrës alone, but throughout Albania. Thousands of workers from the chemical enterprise, the UPR, the UEM, the furniture factory, the cigarette factory, the UMB, the ORM, the OA-sb, the plastics factory, the rubber factory, the [unclear] plant, the railway, the construction enterprise, the shipyard, etc., come and go, hoping that the next morning will bring the good news that the raw materials have arrived. The days simply pass, bogged down in [fragmentary/unclear text]. (Continued on page 2)

(ILLUSTRATION: NIKOLLA MULLISHI)

“WE WILL CORRECT ALBANIA’S IMAGE TODAY TOGETHER” Press conference by ISMAIL KADARE