Gerjali: Foreign workers see EU transit opportunities

The flight of Kosovo youth from the country presents an alarming situation. For this reason better living conditions must be created in Kosovo. So say economic experts. While businesses are being forced to employ foreign workers to meet market needs.

With the country's labour force gone, Kosovo has become a country that is attracting foreign workers. Kosovo firms are obliged to import workforce from abroad.

One of these firms is a private company from Mitrovica.

Blerta Abrashi, manager, tells Radio Kosovo that this company has received two foreign workers from Turkey and India.

They have good conditions here with salary as living conditions for a warm work environment. We have made no difference that one is from Turkey and the other from India. We have a joint, business”, she said.

Mehmet Tyre, employed in this firm, says he likes Kosovo and that he is satisfied with the work they did.

He says he will continue to live and work in Kosovo.

“Balkan has a special place for us. We don't isolate them, we see them as brothers. At first, I was curious, and then, standing here, I began to like it better. On the street, I'm quiet, I'm walking, it's not Turkey's mess. I love Kosovo and I'm starting to love it more”, he said.

Meanwhile, Vivek Kumar, from India, says that in Kosovo he lives for four years and likes the tranquillity and environment of living and acting in Kosovo.

I have been living in Kosovo for the past several years. In India there's a huge population of here quiet. The work environment and life environment are better. It's a healthy environment”, he said.

Zeki Korku is a citizen of Turkey who has lived and acted in Kosovo for 10 years. He is employed at Pristina International Airport.

I like living here and working here. I am truly satisfied with Kosovars, and with the life I live here. I don't see any difference between Kosovo and the Black Sea region, and that's why I don't feel like a stranger here --”, Kork said.

But economy expert Safet Gerjaliu says foreign workers can only see Kosovo as a transit country to move towards the European Union.

I'm afraid most of those targeting Kosovo use it as a moment to leave somewhere in Europe. I believe that we can jointly lobby and dialogue and raise awareness not only for young people but also for Kosovo businesses to do more for their workers and their conditions. It will be very difficult to think that foreigners will contribute more than locals”, he told Radio Kosovo.

The law on foreigners in Kosovo regulates issues for granting work permits to foreigners.

Under this law, physics persons, who are not citizens of Kosovo, when wanting to work on Kosovo territory must be equipped with work permits. The Kosovo government allocates the number of work permits for foreign citizens annually.