Workers of the former Publishing and Printing Enterprise “Rilindja” protested in front of the headquarters of the Kosovo Privatization Agency (KPA) in Prishtina over the non-payment of their 20 percent share.

The workers’ representative, Besim Kajtazi, emphasized that all institutions, including the KPA, continue to ignore the legitimate demands of Rilindja employees. He added that they are disappointed and exhausted from a long-standing wait that has yet to result in justice from the KPA.

According to Kajtazi, this right, which they claim is legally theirs, concerns approximately 660 former Rilindja employees.

“It is not unusual that citizens’ voices are heard only after they take to the streets. What is truly concerning, however, is that even after protests, all institutions and the KPA continue to ignore the legitimate demands of Rilindja employees. The most recent example is the workers who are again protesting in front of the Kosovo Privatization Agency, disappointed and exhausted from a long wait that has not ended in justice,” Kajtazi said.

During this protest, he also spoke about the distribution of €3.3 million from the Government to the KPA and the unfair allocation of these funds.

Kajtazi claims that €1.5 million of this amount remains untouched by the KPA.

“Four years ago, after public pressure and numerous protests, the Government deposited €3.3 million into the KPA’s account for their 20 percent payments. The KPA distributed part of the funds belatedly and without full transparency, leaving €1.5 million untouched. To this day, there is no convincing explanation for why these funds have not been allocated, even though their purpose was clear: to compensate the employees. This is a flagrant example of the lack of responsibility and institutional accountability,” he said.

Kajtazi added that the situation worsens further regarding the 5.5-hectare land.

According to him, the division of this land into three parts and its transfer to institutional ownership without involving the employees in the process, and without respecting their legal right to the 20 percent share, constitutes a clear injustice.

“The situation worsens further concerning the 5.5-hectare land where the Rilindja complex is located. The division of this land into three parts and its transfer to institutional ownership, without involving the employees in this process and without respecting their legal right to the 20 percent share, is a clear injustice. What is most concerning is that the KPA, the institution responsible for protecting the interests of us workers and overseeing the privatization process, remains silent and avoids accountability,” he emphasized.

Kajtazi said that the workers feel discriminated against and insulted, not only because of the material injustice being done to them but also due to the severe violation of their dignity as long-term contributors to the country.

He also stated that the ignoring of their demands, the lack of transparency, and the absence of an official response reinforce the perception that justice in this case is selective and detrimental to those who have given much and received little or nothing in return.

In addition to these demands, Kajtazi noted that Rilindja had properties in Switzerland and Tirana as part of its assets, and according to him, the property in Tirana “has been usurped by an occupier from Kosovo.”