Due to the non-payment of salaries for the month of July, several employees of Radio Television of Kosovo (RTK) protested today in front of the Assembly of Kosovo, demanding their legal rights for budget allocation.
Although August 5 was the deadline for the July salaries to be disbursed, around 700 RTK employees remain unpaid.
“RTK will not be silenced,” “Journalists without pay = Democracy without voice,” “Don’t silence the public voice,” “The budget is not a privilege, it is a legal right,” “Do not destroy the public broadcaster,” “RTK belongs to the people, not politics,” “RTK workers are not victims of the crisis”—these were some of the slogans written on banners held by the public broadcaster’s employees during the protest.
The head of the RTK Workers’ Union (SPERTK), Gëzim Bimbashi, stated that this crisis is a result of the failure to adopt the new Law on RTK and the lack of independent and sustainable funding.
He said that the RTK workers’ demands include the immediate allocation of the budget, the full appointment of the RTK Board by the new Assembly, the announcement of a competition for the position of General Director in full compliance with legal procedures, and an increase in the 2026 budget, including salary increase.
Bimbashi emphasized that more than 700 families are left without salaries, under severe economic conditions, burdened by loans and a rising cost of living.
He also stated that strikes, protests in front of the RTK building, and the boycott of political events are not ruled out.
Meanwhile, the head of the Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK), Xhemajl Rexha, expressed full and strong support for RTK workers.
He emphasized that AJK calls on RTK employees to continue their work free from financial and political pressure.
According to him, the current situation was avoidable, and he called on institutions to take the necessary steps.
