Trade Unions of Albania

The Trade Unions of Albania (Albanian: Bashkimet Profesionale të Shqipërisë, BPSh) was a mass organization of the Party of Labour of Albania during the socialist period which represented the interests of the working class in industry. Like other mass organizations it was a member of the Democratic Front.

Shortly after the liberation of Albania from Nazi German occupation on November 29, 1944, prewar labor leaders began campaigning for the establishment of a postwar trade union organization. On February 11, 1945, a national conference bringing together representatives of various labor groups formed the Provisional General Council of Workers' Syndicates of Albania. It was tasked with becoming "the pillar of the Democratic Front and the people's power." In October that same year it held its First National Congress in which it adopted the name Syndicate Union of Albania, and at its Second National Congress in October 1949 changed its name to the Trade Unions of Albania. At the time of its Third National Congress in August 1952 it was noted that it was composed of unions in industry, mining, state farm agriculture, forestry, transport, administration, trade, health, education and culture. Its newspaper was known as Puna which carried "articles on various aspects from the life of the Albanian working class, as well as materials expressing the attitude of the Trade Unions of Albania towards problems of the international worker['s] movement." In 1945 it joined the World Federation of Trade Unions, although after 1965 it de facto ceased to participate (despite not formally withdrawing from the organization) owing to worsening relations with the Soviet Union and the Sino-Soviet split, though it did mend relations as a result of the restoration of Albania's diplomatic relations with the Soviet Government in 1990.

National Congresses were held every five years in which a General Council was elected which in turn elected a Presidium; the Presidents of the General Council were Tuk Jakova (1945-1947), Gogo Nushi (1949-1951 and again from 1958-1970), Pilo Peristeri (1951-1958), Rita Marko (1970-1982) and Sotir Koçollari (1982-1991).

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