Many technical workers in schools in Prishtina went on strike today after being left without salaries and without contracts. They say they have still not received their April salaries and have been without contracts for nearly two to three months.

At the lower secondary school Ismail Qemali in Prishtina, the President of the Independent Trade Union of the Private Sector, Jusuf Azemi, was also present.

Speaking to KosovaPress, he said the salaries of these technical workers are so low that even when they are paid on time, they struggle financially, and delays make the situation even harder.

“The reason for the strike is that today is the 19th and we still have not received our salaries for April. Our salaries are so low that even when we receive them on time, we can barely make ends meet, and now we are already in the third week without receiving them. What makes this situation even worse is that most of us have loans, and the banks are calling us every day regarding interest payments... We have no salaries and no contracts, but what we do have is union organization. Nearly all schools across the Municipality of Prishtina are on strike, and we will hold the Municipality of Prishtina officials accountable for these irregularities,” Azemi said.

Hasan Hoti, a technical worker at Ismail Qemali school, also expressed his concerns, stressing that the strike will continue until their demands are met, namely payment of salaries and contracts.

“The reason for the strike is the lack of salary payments and contracts. We currently do not have contracts because the previous operator’s contract has expired. The operator still owes us and has not paid our April salaries. Their contract with us has expired, and currently we have no contracts. Our demand is to receive our salaries and contracts... No, we will continue the strike until our demands are met,” Hoti said.

Another worker, Ruzhdi Miftari, said their demands had not been addressed.

Gani Imeri also said they are simply asking for their rights — salaries and contracts.

Azemi reiterated that the strike will continue until their demands are fulfilled and stressed that workers will not provide any services until they receive both salaries and contracts.

KosovaPress attempted to contact the Directorate of Education in the Municipality of Prishtina, but by the time of publication, no response had been received.