Organizations: Kosovo has gender discrimination at work

Various organisations estimate that even though Kosovo has the legal framework for equal treatment in the workplace, this has found no implementation. And, according to research, gender discrimination against women becomes more in the private sector.

Data according to nongovernmental organisations in the country shows that the largest number of employees in the public and private sector in Kosovo are males, while only 14 percent are employed by women in the private sector. Although Kosovo has the legal framework, on the issue of discrimination and equal treatment in the workplace, this has not found implementation, organisations say. Edona Selimi, from the Justice and Equality Initiative, told Radio Kosovo that according to a research they have done, it is shown that there is gender discrimination especially against women working in the private sector.

In a job interview, the female is also asked about her family planning and discrimination begins here. They tend to take on male rather than female gender, considering that they have claims to make family planning and will require a respite, which is legally due to the private sector's burden to pay off the fatigue. Women affected by discrimination are also those over the age of 35 by the age of 50. Another violation, which we have had the chance to deal with, is discrimination against advancement in the position of”, Selimi has said.

For gender-based discrimination, even BSPK chairman At and Hykoki said more women who plan to bear children are discriminated against.

Pregnant cases have many problems, because employers are unwilling to support her during her stay at home. I've heard stories that a woman's asking about marriage, knowing that the family will grow up and have to pay for her leukemia vacation and that they don't get their salary at work”, Hycol said.

Meanwhile, private sector employee Union Chairman Yusuf Azemi announced that women were fired from their jobs because they were pregnant.

When company owners, not everyone, but the huge part, realize that a worker is pregnant, then that worker leaves work arguing that the level of work has dropped and they actually remain on the street”, Azemi said.

Meanwhile, the GAP Institute has also published a report on gender-based discrimination in the proclamations of free jobs. This institute has analyzed over 6 thousand jobs for free jobs, noting gender discrimination for women who are offered lower wages for the same job. Gender-based discrimination in titles and job descriptions occurs when job reports suggest a preference for one gender. Such contest content in Kosovo is also prohibited by law. The sectors for which more women are required are: administration, education and health; and the sectors for which more men are required are: trade and economy. According to the GAP Institute, this analysis concludes that current legal provisions are not enough to ensure gender equality in the labour market and recommends stricter measures for preventing gender discrimination in employment. Meanwhile, according to data from nongovernmental organisations, most women do not report discrimination at the workplace for fear of losing that job, while indictments on these cases have lasted many years in court processes.