Companies in trouble, “are not finding” workers in Kosovo

Although the unemployment rate in Kosovo remains high, according to some private businesses, it often happens that the unemployed are not interested in working in these sectors. On the other hand, workers' representatives say the unwillingness of citizens to work seasonal works is presented because of difficult conditions in private companies.

One of the local companies facing the shortage of workers for each season is the company “Pesova”, which deals with potato processing.

Bedri Kosumi, owner of this company, tells Radio Free Europe that during this period per day it needs 20 new workers, but that, according to him, citizens are reluctant to work on the potato harvest.

It shows that the monthly salary for interested workers is 450 euros, eight hours of work and two meals during the day.

“We're in the work zone, but we're not finding workers. They don't want to work, even if they have good conditions. They want to work at the office, at the factory, and in the fields they are not interested in working”.

In Kosovo, I am angry, it is not true that there is unemployment, but there are workers. Locals, cafes are full of young people, and jobs do not require”, Kosumi says.

The construction sector also faces this problem. Kosovo Builders' Association Chairman Brahim Selimaj tells Radio Free Europe that this sector with a shortage of workers faces all the time and not just during the summer season.

As a major problem, he mentions the lack of qualified workers.

“The rest of the workers on the market are qualified. I think it's the unwillingness of the unemployed to go to the market and work”, he claims.

Young people, however, give different opinions as to the interest in seasonal work.
Blerta Gashi, a student at the Law School, says he would agree to work, but only in the direction he studies.

“If there are good working conditions and good salary, I agree to work, but only work related to judicial direction”, she says.

And Lindy Bektesh says he doesn't want to work during summertime. He says the summer season wants to be used for holidays and more frequent meetings with friends.

I wouldn't work, but I'd rest. I would have used the wine on vacation. I'd like two months to use them for a holiday.

On the other hand, representatives of the labour union stress that private businesses have informed the union of the problem, but that, according to them, poor conditions in these companies are the reason for the non-interest of citizens to work.

Jusuf Azemi, chairman of the Independent Private Sector Union, within the Union of Independent Trade Unions of Kosovo, for Radio Free Europe says a large number of private companies do not respect the Labour Law and the Kolective Treaty.
In addition to workers, he says, they don't have employment contracts, they are forced to work up to 14 hours a day, but businesses don't even pay contributions for workers, while in many cases workers are paid monthly wages of up to 200 euros.
He even invites all companies that have a problem with providing workers who respect the Labour Law so that workers can provide the BSPK.

“I'm offering an offer, all those who offer a 400-euro salary, we unions take it on duty to provide workers, if they respect the constitutional arrangement”.

“means, (company) to head to the union, ensure that these workers have working contracts and pay their contributions to the constitutional law. This is the responsibility they take from”, Azemi declares.

Unemployment, meanwhile, continues to remain one of the biggest problems that has accompanied Kosovo society in recent years. According to recent data from the Kosovo Statistics Agency, the rate of unemployment among young people is 52. 2 percent, while the overall unemployment rate is 28.7 percent