Workers represented by unions in the country will hold a protest tomorrow (Wednesday), on the occasion of May 1, International Workers’ Day. Workers are expected to express their dissatisfaction with low wages, rights and safety at work.
For this protest, the United Union of Education, Science and Culture (SBAShK), the Union of Independent Trade Unions of Kosovo (UITUK) and the Independent Union of Private Sector Workers have come together. In 2023 alone, 11 workers lost their lives and 330 accidents occurred in the workplace.
The minimum wage still remains 130 euros for employees under 35 years of age, and 170 euros for employees over 35 years of age.
The head of SBAShK, Rrahman Jasharaj, told KosovaPress that this protest comes after the lack of social dialogue and the wrong approach with the unions by the government. He adds that the number of protesters from SBAShK alone is expected to exceed 1,000.
Meanwhile, the chairman of the Independent Union of Private Sector Workers, Jusuf Azemi, says that the May 1 holiday is not finding many workers in Kosovo. According to data on the ground, from businesses, he says that in the first two months of the year alone, there are over 150,000 workers who will no longer return to Kosovo, as they have found better conditions in European countries.
He adds that the condition of workers who perform services for state institutions is deplorable.
On the other hand, the chairman of UITUK, Atdhe Hykolli, while indicating that they will join this protest, says that there are many reasons to protest.
KosovaPress has sent questions related to the demands and protest of the unions to the Government of Kosovo, but they have not returned an answer until the publication of this news. /E. Krasniqi
