Why are workers leaving Kosovo?

Low wages, prolonged work hours, as well as uncertainty at the workplace, are some of the problems that are driving workers from Kosovo to European countries, say representatives of workers in the private sector and several workers surveyed by Radio Free Europe.

These workers' problems are identified mainly in the private sector in Kosovo, which is the biggest employer, with more than 220 thousand employees.

In the public sector, where more than 800,000 people are estimated to be employed, it is estimated that working conditions are better and higher paying than in the private sector.

The average gross salary in the public sector is around 620 euros, while in the private sector around 380 euros.

“The workers in the private sector are disappointed by the working conditions offered in Kosovo. The working conditions in the private sector are at the lowest level for years. This has led many of them to drive away from Kosovo”, says Yusuf Azemi, representative of workers in the private sector.

Kosovo's youth towards Germany

The Radio Free Europe team during talks it had conducted with some young people who were waiting for a working visa application at the German Embassy in Pristina, have stressed they are precisely Poor Work Conditions who made them leave.

Erion Shala from Istog, 19, was one who was aiming to leave Kosovo towards Germany, due to the low salary he received from a private company where he worked as an automechanic.

For more than eight hours of work, I have been paid 15 euros, there [in Germany] will be paid 17 euros per hour”, Erion said.

While Erjon said he was leaving for a better payment, another young man who did not want to be identified says it is his long working schedule and contract-free work reason for his leaving Kosovo.

“I worked from 0800 to 6:00 a week in construction sector. That's why I want to leave Kosovo. I'm paid for this 625 euros”, he says.

The German Embassy in Pristina in a written response sent to Radio Free Europe has indicated that within the year it issues 5,500 working visas for applications made by Kosovo citizens.

According to German Embassy data, in December 2021 this embassy received 56,639 applications, while in January of this year there are a total of 48,962 applications.

Poor working conditions in the private sector were also identified by the Labour Inspectorate under the Ministry of Finance, Labour and Transfers, the primary institution that cares for workers' rights in the country.

During 2021, the Inspectorate has admitted over 5,000 complaints by the parties, who have considered their rights violated at the workplace.

Non-communication, prolonged work hours, and annual rest denial, as well as low wages, are some of them.

Agim Millaku, the task of chief inspector at the Labour Inspectorate, tells Radio Free Europe that working conditions must be improved, otherwise workers will leave.

If the worker feels insecure at work, he leaves his job. Also, if business is not sustainable with the worker reflects uncertainty and in this form it [the worker] requires alternative”, Millaku says.

In addition, according to data from the Labour Inspectorate in 2021, nine citizens have lost their lives at work, 40 have suffered serious injuries and 139 minor injuries.

By 2016-2020, 74 citizens died in the workplace, and 530 were injured.

Krasniqi blames institutions for poor working conditions

Not good working conditions in the private sector, according to Skender Krasniqi, chairman of the Afarism Oda in Kosovo, are not only at the blame of the employer but also of the Government of Kosovo.

“Health and Life Insurance It's the responsibility of the non-business state. These and others are causing general discontent with workers, despite pay. The worker also does not have state security when he remains unemployed. All of this creates uncertainty in the workshop and leads the citizen to step down because there is no financial security of”, Krasniqi says.

The Law on Health Insurance It was approved by the Kosovo Assembly in 2014, but, in fact, it is not. Applying Never for anyone.

A small number of Kosovo citizens have been secured through private companies, which provide health insurance.

Businesses, Krasniqi adds, are trying to create good working conditions not to escape the workforce, but they need the support of the state by creating a better business business business business business environment.

“are some sectors in Kosovo that need to be supported to create better conditions for workers. The agriculture sector, for example, could increase workers' salaries if subsidised by the state”, he says.

He says if no measures are taken and there is no co-ordination by employers and the state, Kosovo will remain without a labour force, which will then send businesses into bankruptcy.

Government: LKosovo youth exile, disturbing

Kosovo Government spokesman Progress Kryeziu tells Radio Free Europe that the lack of favourable employment conditions and the inability to hire in their profession have affected young people from the country over the years.

For this, Kryeziu adds, for the Government of Kosovo the priority is employment, especially of young people and women. The government aims to achieve this by promoting foreign investment in the country that would create new jobs and through reforms in the education system.

At the end of January, Kryeziu adds, with the Government's decision, the Executive Commission for Development of the Education and Professional Skills System was established in Kosovo.

The Commission's “Role will be very important for reforming and harmonising the system of education and professional skills”, Kryeziu says.

In 2021, Kosovo's unemployment rate has been nearly 26 percent. Compared to the preceding year, there has been an increase of 0.1 percent. The youth unemployment rate is 48.6 percent, according to the Kosovo Statistics Agency. / REL