Continue injustice: Police officers denied overtime work compensation

Kosovo's government has not paid police officials additionals for the night shift and additional hours. Beyond that, police illegally are banning additionals belonging to police officials.

From the Kosovo Regional Police Directorate in Pristina, police officials have received a letter announcing that no compensation will be identified.

As reported Reporter's Journal Police Regional Director Basri Shabani has written a letter to officials and police officers, broadcast Periscope.

“Compensation hours cannot be recorded either in cases where police officials engage in internal training, recertification or even among overtime jobs.”, the letter says.

According to this letter police officials can only be compensated if they engage in any operational plans.

Only in cases where police officials are engaged by the Operativa concerning any Operational Plan in which the plan is mentioned in the statement that they can engage police officers with compensation and complete compensation forms.”, it is said further.

With the Law for the Kosovo Police 04/L-076, in the wage article and compensation for police personnel 47, where it speaks of wages and compensation for police officials has taken into account the specific conditions under which they carry out their duties. The law says that the basic salary of police officials differs based on the factors involved, but not limited to the degree and duration of the service.

In addition to the basic salary, police officials legally receive types of additions, compensation and benefits.

Such additional salaries are based on factors, including, but not limited to dangerous tasks, under stress, overtime work, shifts, holiday work, or other days that are vacation days, special work assignment, and special skills.

“Responsibilities include, but are not limited to compensation for risky jobs, under stress work, compensation for working hours with shifts, holidays payments, overtime payments, and overtime payments. Benificials may include, but not limited to, medical and health expenses, expenses for professional and technical training,
Vital expenses for temporary transfer, payment breaks, compensation in death cases, and pension payments.”, specified in law.

The Law also says that basic wages and any authorised supplements are determined and paid in line with procedures defined in the law in force and with sublaw acts.

“General Director, with the approval of the minister, may include in the police's annual budget proposal for the amounts needed to be used to pay any additional payments authorised by law.”, the Law on Police says.

The Kosovo Police Union reacted last week for no additional payment.

They expressed concern over the delay in paying the night shift and additional hours for police officials.

” On the eve of the holiday, police have not received the well - deserved salary, which is necessary for planning their family and personal commitments. This situation directly affects their well - being and has created uncertainty about the outworking of daily commitments. Despite the continued dedication and sacrifice of police officials, we have so far received no official communication from the Government on this issue. The Kosovo Police Union calls on the Finance Ministry to immediately execute outstanding payments, ensuring full compensation for night shifts and additional hours, in line with police officials' legal rights. This is necessary to maintain their motivation and commitment to the service of citizens and public safety.”, the Union's response said.