During today, an inspection action of workplaces across Kosovo was carried out. The action was conducted by the Ministry of Labour, Family and War Veterans’ Values in cooperation with the Central Labour Inspectorate.

As a result of this action, several construction companies were sealed and works were halted, KosovaPress reports.

Acting Executive Director of the Central Labour Inspectorate, Kastriot Jashari, announced that the action will last 15 days.

“As you know, we are implementing the decision of the Minister of Labour, Mr. Hekuran Murati, and the legal mandate of the Central Labour Inspectorate. Today marks the start of a 15-day action in seven regions of Kosovo. This action, among other things, is also within our legal mandate,” said Jashari.

According to him, increasing compliance with legal regulations is the main goal of this action.

Meanwhile, the head of the Division for the Pristina region, Ahmet Delolli, said that the action will be carried out in all seven regions, while on the first day it will take place in three: Pristina, Fushë Kosovë, and Ferizaj.

“The operational plan will be implemented in all seven regions of the Republic of Kosovo. With 15 inspection teams and 30 inspectors engaged in the field, it will continue over the next 14 days of the action,” said Delolli.

At a construction site in Fushë Kosovë, the Central Labour Inspectorate found violations of occupational safety and health conditions.

Inspector Gëzim Sahiti, who supervised the site, explained the irregularities found.

“It has been established that safety and health measures at work are missing. This includes scaffolding, securing areas that need to be closed, closing elevator spaces, and inspecting the scaffolding. So, a full inspection of the scaffolding will be carried out to ensure it is safe for work at this site,” said Sahiti.

Sahiti emphasized that safety measures had not been implemented at all and that the ongoing work was unsafe.

“We saw that safety measures have not been taken at all. There are many measures that must be implemented, and the work being carried out here is not safe for workers. We will now draft a report, and from this moment, the works are suspended,” he added.

In this situation, a construction engineer at one of the companies asked inspectors to allow the continuation of some work to avoid material damage.

“Is it possible to continue [laying the slab], because if work stops today, the damages are irreparable?” he said.

This request was denied by the inspector, who stressed that the primary priority is the health of workers, not material damage.

“Above all are the health and lives of the workers,” said Sahiti.

Recently, several workplace deaths have occurred in the country, mainly in the construction sector.