Arberi

People's Advocate: The condition of the workers is not good, the authorities should fulfill their legal obligations

Naim Qelaj

The lack of safety at work, discrimination in the workplace, the prolongation of judicial procedures for the resolution of labor disputes and the complete lack of a legal framework that regulates safety and health at work are some of the challenges with which, according to People's Advocate Naim Qelaj, workers in Kosovo face.

In a statement issued on the occasion of May 1, International Labor Day, Qelaj emphasized that the situation of workers in the country is not good. 

According to him, the commitment of all sectors is needed to improve the situation. 

"The People's Advocate, seeing the frequent cases of accidents at the workplace, with consequences up to fatality, and in particular in the construction sector, invites the public authorities responsible for the implementation of the law, to fulfill the legal obligations they have in taking measures to prevent accidents at work, safety and maintaining health at work for employees, both in the private sector and in the public sector", says the reaction.

It is further said that there are irregularities in the field of labor law and violations of workers' rights, where the largest number of cases, according to the People's Advocate, is related to discrimination. "Due to the high level of unemployment, cases of discrimination in the workplace are still very rarely reported to the protection mechanisms, because workers are afraid to report them", says the reaction.

Another serious challenge, according to Qelaj's response, is the prolongation of judicial procedures for the resolution of labor disputes, which is said to remain an obstacle to the functioning of the implementation of the labor law in terms of judicial protection of rights. 

"Also, over the years, the Ombudsman has been engaged in discussions on the protection and promotion of the rights to safety and health at work and decent work from the perspective of gender-sensitive standards. The People's Advocate emphasizes that the legal framework that regulates safety and health at work is not complete and does not ensure the protection of employees from accidents and damage to health at work. Likewise, more should be done so that the legislation sufficiently ensures the responsibilities and obligations for dignified work", says Qelaj's reaction.