What will happen to those who worked without contracts and those who lost their jobs as a result of the Coronavius in Kosovo, Bislimi answers

Some of the most frequent questions workers have asked about this package have been for workers who work without contracts and for those who lose their jobs as a result of Kosovo Government decisions on preventing the spread of coronavirus.

This emergency package provides assistance to workers without contracts as well as to those who lose their jobs in time of pandemic, Bislimi has explained,

“We are aware that part of the employees are working without contracts. This type of commitment takes two forms: either workers work without valid contracts, but the employer regularly pays pension contributions and tax obligations; or workers are fully engaged in <x1 black>”. In the first case, lack of contract is still problematic and needs to be addressed, BUT this has no effect on the package of emergency measures. This means that, at this stage, the information that the employer has paid the pension contributions and tax obligations is sufficient for us, so these employers benefit from the package in all cases when the employer argues financial difficulties as a result of government measures (pika 1.3.1 of the package)”, explains Bislim.

He has added that even for workers who have been working entirely on “black”, the government will enable employers to place these workers on their salary lists for March.

For those who worked in the black “”, the government has opened a window allowing employers to put these workers on their salary lists for March, and toʹte out one year contracts. Then, with immediate effect, these workers become part of the benefits of the package. If that does not happen, the government encourages employers to report their status to Kosovo's tax administration. If employers prefer to further endanger operation “in black” and face corresponding legal consistencys, then the employees affected in certain cases can take advantage of 1.15 of the package (see the explanation 3)”, writes Bislimi.

The measures taken by the Government of Kosovo, mid-March for preventing the spread of coronavirus, have also affected Kosovo businesses, and has further impacted to the extent that the oppressors have lost their jobs.

The emergency package provides for these workers too to take advantage of this package, provided they meet certain conditions.

If there are employees who have lost their jobs after declaring measures of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo in mid-March 2020, then these workers benefit from the eighth measure of the emergency package in the amount of 130 euros for the next three months (all under the assumption that in the meantime they do not create new labour relations). The ministry of finance and transfers will emerge very soon with the publication of procedures (very simplified) for application. The government encourages employers to maintain their labor force whenever they are able, since in the medium term it has also given rise to businesses itself”, the clarification of Bislem says.

Bislimin has stressed that this applies only to workers who have lost their jobs because of difficulties in coping with pandemics.

“also needs to be determined that this measure is dedicated only to those who have lost their jobs as a result of the difficulties in coping with pandemic rather than as a result of other problems with the employer or as a result of completing existing employment contracts. If the dismissed workers have been working without employment contracts, then the only option remains the option of profiting from the 15th emergency package measure (See the range 3)”, writes the Minister of Finance and Transfers.