Workers in Kosovo face numerous problems, fear protecting their rights

Transitions from the economy controlled by the past monist system in the market economy, as in many countries and in Kosovo are being followed by problems. The primary burden and the price of the workers pay.

The private sector is further characterised for disrespecting workers' rights. The sector, also has the largest number of workers and is considered the generator of economic development in the country.

Capable labor rights institutions have adopted favourable laws, but in most cases they are not implemented by this sector, which further functions according to the needs and regulations of owners, even with a large number of workers without labour contracts.

Despite the poor situation of workers in the private sector, there is still a lack of union organisation that would prove to be of little help and protection of their rights.

The union creation, according to some of the workers contacted by Radio Free Europe, may be in response to employers ' departure from their jobs. So there's no movement like that.

Gona is from Pristina and is currently employed in one of the shopping centres in the capital. It briefly shows that workers ' rights are not respected in the country where they work, but trade unions are not even spoken of.

The working hour is longer than eight hours. We don't take the package in order or in two. And it's not even about union because we can lose our jobs”, Gona says.

One of the biggest commercial companies in Kosovo is “Elkos Group” with over 3 thousand workers, but there are no unions there.

Ramiz Kelmendi, owner of this company -- at the same time MP in the Kosovo Assembly -- says he does not prevent the establishment of union legally, and that he respects workers' rights, but not unions that undermine the company's image.

The way union organization was meant to be a genuine union organization, which really plays the interests of workers, would not be a problem. But we know that a part of union organisation protects workers and interests, and that in a way is damaging the image of union organisation through the firm”, Kelmendi said.

Even leaders of the Union of Independent Trade Unions of Kosovo (BSPK) say the lack of union in the private sector adversely affects workers' rights.

Avni Aydin, chairman of BSPK- has told Radio Free Europe that no federation for the private sector has yet been established at the Union Convention.

“Anyway, in this sector we're trying to try to introduce even sectors workers who haven't founded the union associations”, Aydin said.

Union creation, both in the public and private sector, is regulated by the Law for union organisation in Kosovo. This law aims to regulate and define the rights and freedoms of employees.

The union has a great legal power to protect its members, even using legal strikes. Likewise, the union could suspend the company's work until workers' rights are not discriminated against.

Basri Ibrahimi, chief inspector of the Labour Inspectorate that works under the Ministry of Labour and Social Goods, told Radio Free Europe that in any inspection he does, the Inspectorate asked whether there is union organisation. But, as he says, the Inspectorate does not belong to the union.

If there are problems for organization we influence. But union organisation is voluntary base”, says Ibrahim for Radio Free Europe

Otherwise, according to the law, the employer is obliged to create conditions and facilities for syndical action, including access to work environments, allowing reporting, brochures, publications, and other cases of union activity.

In Kosovo, according to official data, about 70 per cent, or over 357 thousand people between 15 and 65 years of age are employed. Over 80 thousand of them are public sector employees.

And 30.5 percent, or over 156 thousand people, is estimated to be unemployed, while according to the Union of Independent Trade Unions of Kosovo,(BSPK) that percentage amounts to over 40 percent.