<p>TIRANA, Albania — Albania’s prime minister threatened legal action against air traffic controllers at the country’s one international airport, who went on strike Wednesday to press for higher pay.</p>
<p>Edi Rama accused opposition parties of backing the 24-hour walkout “to stop vaccine deliveries” to the country. He said strike organizers would be sued under legislation that strictly prohibits employees from suspending activity at the flight control tower.</p>
<p>More than a dozen flights were canceled at Tirana International Airport Wednesday. </p>
<p>The strikers’ union says their pay has been cut by 62% over the past year due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the same period, Albania’s air traffic has fallen by 57%, according to Infrastructure Minister Belinda Balluku.</p>
<p>The minister said air traffic controllers are paid $2,490 a month — five times the country’s average salary of about $500.</p>
<p>Balluku also accused the strikers of having a political agenda, and threatened legal action.</p>
<p>“No one can hold the country hostage,” she said.</p>
<p>Albania is in an electoral campaign ahead of April 25 parliamentary polls.</p>
