Pristina, May 1, 2024 – On the occasion of the International Labor Day, the Ombudsperson, Mr. Naim Qelaj emphasizes that the country continues to be in a bad state for workers. Many challenges remain ahead for which the commitment of all sectors is needed to improve this situation.

The Ombudsperson 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 obtaining of measures for the prevention of accidents at work, safety and preservation of health at work for employees, both in the private sector and in the public sector.

For years, the Ombudsperson has reacted to irregularities in the field of labor law and violations of workers’ rights, where the largest number of cases 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.

Another serious challenge is the prolongation of judicial procedures for the resolution of labor disputes, which remains an obstacle to the functioning of the implementation of the labor law in terms of the judicial protection of rights. Also, over the years, the Ombudsperson 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 Ombudsperson 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. Also, more should be done so that the legislation sufficiently ensures the responsibilities and obligations for decent work.

As part of his mandate, the Ombudsperson will continue to monitor and influence the improvement of working conditions for all workers in the Republic of Kosovo.