Private sector workers protest on May 1st, demand salary increase

In Kosovo for this May 1st, a protest has been warned by the Federation Union of Kosovo Private Sector Technical Workers, calling for wage hikes.
Protest will be held from 11:00 in “Square Skenderbeu” in Pristina.

At the same time, the Social Democrat Party of Kosovo has warned protests before the government object, writes Tve1.info.

This day in Kosovo is marked with other activities, such as the one in the Germ park.

Workers in Kosovo, especially those in the private sector, have complaints regarding working conditions, such as low wages, long-term work and lack of security.

In Kosovo, the minimum wage currently stands at 180 euros, while with the new bill adopted by the Kosovo Government, the minimum wage is meant to rise to 264 euros gross, or 250 euros.

But, this bill, although approved by the government on 14 June 2022, has yet to be adopted in two readings by the Kosovo Assembly.

It was approved only in the first reading on June 14, 2022.

The bill is being rejected by the KLA Veterans Organisation, as the bill does not envision the minimum wage link to veterans' pension, as it has been in the past.

The Kosovo government has also adopted the Law for Paga for Public Officials, which has been rejected by several public sector unions.

May 1st refers to worker protests, for hours of work, for guaranteed average salaries, for safety equipment at the workplace.

The first public request was submitted in Australia during 1885 with this content: ”8 hours of work, 8 hours of recreation, and 8 hours of sleep”. The May Day celebration is closely linked to general and bloody protests of tens of thousands of Chicago factory workers in America on May 1, 1886.

Massive and majestic manufacturation took place a year later in the same city on May 1, 1887.

So began the journey of this important day, embraced by millions of workers, organised through the unionist Movement and parties, which focus on the socioeconomic position of workers.

The world union assigned May 1st days in which all workers exert pressure to secure and advance their rights.

In Europe, May 1 started manifesting with the first International of Geneva.

From 1890 to Paris, the founding Congress of the Second International decided that exactly 1 May will remain the International Workers' Day.

By 1891, the 3rd International Congress in Brussels ruled that the day of May 1 will be celebrated forever and in all places, such as the Workers' Festival, in which workers will identify, advance and defend with Constitutions and laws, freedoms, rights, working conditions, the average guaranteed salary, day, week break, and other holidays as necessary.