Aydin: Unemployment can increase by 50 percent

The unemployment rate in Kosovo after the end of the pandemic could amount to 50 per cent from about 30 per cent in March, says an interview for Radio Free Europe, the chairman of the Union of Independent Trade Unions of Kosovo, Avni Aydin.

Aydin also says the government should help businesses so that they can keep workers at work.

Radio Free Europe: Mr. Aydin, International Labor Day, due to the pandemic, Kosovo is found this year with large numbers of closed businesses and unemployed workers. Have you made any accounts of the number of unemployed during this pandemic situation?

Avni Aydin: We are aware in this direction that many jobs will be lost because of the pandemic that has engulfed, not only the Republic of Kosovo, but the globe. For this reason, Kosovo's economy also wants to reduce economic growth, so workers will lose jobs. Although the unemployment rate is over 30 percent in Kosovo, it will rise unfortunately because new jobs will not be opened, but will close down.

Radio Free Europe: Mr. Aydney, the unemployment rate is about 30 percent, and what do you think that figure will increase after the coronary pandemic?

Avni Aydin: This figure could go up to 50 percent because the consuming of workers who are involved in working relations is the private sector, or is the construction sector, the sector that is already facing different crises.

Radio Free Europe: If this pandemic still lasts, what will the consequences be for the workers?

Avni Aydin: The consequences for the workers will be very serious. Workers will lose jobs, as in the time of fierce privatisation of social enterprises, when many citizens are without jobs. It's still going to be the same situation on the job market.

I can't give any assessment of how an issue on economic development can be realised, when we've been engulfed in such a situation because the economy develops by working and not by politicians by extortioning the state budget, and by not rendering any accounts to workers and failing to meet the demands of workers.

Radio Free Europe: Have businesses presented any concerns that they may remain closed because of the pandemic, resulting in job loss?

Avni Aydin: In some cases, yes, but I don't think that the closure of businesses will be large. But the government needs to help businesses with easier bank loans so that they can resume jobs, such as manufacturing companies or even different businesses. I consider such a government programme should also be envisioned by firms that have the largest number of workers.

Radio Free Europe: The Kosovo government, Mr. Aydin, has approved a Pako Fiscal Emergency to help unemployed workers. How effective is this package?

Avni AydinFrom evil it is also good, even though the sum is symbolic, because they could not help you at all by hinting that there is no fund for the matter. So this package is more political than a considerable value.

Radio Free Europe: Mr. Aydini during this time have you visited any companies to be interested in workers exposed to danger, such as marketing, drugs and other working companies?

Avni Aydin: We're in cooperation with the Federation heads last week through the online system, we've discussed with them, where we've asked that workers be monitored and seen if they're safe workers at the workplace. So we have information that they are rigorously implementing all measures presented by health authority.