Businesses in Kosovo begin recruiting foreign workers

Many companies are dealing with the recruiting procedures of workers from Asian countries such as Bangladesh and Nepal.

Some businesses have only begun contracting workers abroad, especially the share of gastronomy business”, Hysen Sogojevo, chairman of the Hotel and Tourism House, told RTK.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has told the Economics show that from January 2022 to June of this year, 381 working visas have been approved, while 165 have been rejected.

The most common demand for working visas in Kosovo has been accepted by Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Egypt, the Philippines, Pakistan and Bosnia”, MJD have said.

However, employing foreigners will not be a long-term solution for businesses.

“Based on the law No.04/L-205 for the Kosovo Employment Agency, the Agency has the mandate to issue only short-term work permits for foreigners, up to 90 days within any 180 days of 1 year”.

Kosovo does not have any particular law on this issue concerning the arrival of workers from outside”, said Sami Istrefi, the expert in legal affairs.

But how do procedures for recruiting these workers go towards RTK, Zana Beqiri, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

“Short-term migration is possible. Naturalization is also possible, then family union, and migration is possible for economic and business issues. But most of the time, we are seeing businessmans equip workers from abroad with long-term business visas and residence permits, which also guarantees their work permits”, she said.

Businesses have sometimes raised concerns that they are under threat to understaff operation. They fear that after January they will be in crisis for workers, so employing foreigners is seen as a solution. / RTK