Pristina, 1 May 2025 – On the occasion of International Workers’ Day, the Ombudsperson Naim Qelaj reiterates the fundamental importance of protecting and respecting rights at work as an integral part of human rights. Rights at work, among other things, must guarantee safe and healthy working conditions, treatment with dignity, without discrimination and with fair wages in all sectors of work.

In the context of this day, the Ombudsperson underlines the obligation of the state to guarantee and protect these rights, including the full implementation of the Law on Health Insurance and the improvement of working conditions, as well as the implementation of the recommendations given in the ex officio report “Workers’ Rights in Relation to Health and Safety at Work in the Republic of Kosovo”, published in 2024. The report had identified serious shortcomings in the implementation of existing laws, lack of effective inspections and lack of training for workers and employers, as well as many other shortcomings.

The Ombudsperson reiterates the urgent need to implement these recommendations aimed at: the functionalization of the National Council for Safety and Health at Work; the functionalization of the Economic and Social Council, through which dialogue with social partners can begin to reach agreement on the General Collective Agreement; the functionalization of the occupational health sector; increasing the number and capacities of labor inspectors; the establishment of an inter-institutional mechanism for the prevention of accidents at work, and other recommendations.

The Ombudsperson has continuously drawn attention to the serious situation in high-risk sectors such as: work in mines, in the energy sector, security – such as firefighters, police – and the construction sector. Employees in these sectors face difficult working conditions and high risks to their lives every day. The frequent cases of accidents at work and occupational diseases remain worrying. Meanwhile, in addition to the lack of progress in measures to prevent these risks, this situation indicates a lack of implementation of the Law on Safety and Health at Work, as well as the Law on State-Funded Pension Schemes.

The Ombudsperson also draws attention to the urgent need to intervene in the reform of the Labor Law by the responsible institutions, in order for maternity leave to be covered by the state budget and not to continue to remain a financial burden for businesses and employers. This measure is key to guaranteeing gender equality in employment and supporting women in the labor market.

It remains essential to guarantee the right to a fair trial and within a reasonable time in cases of disputes arising from the employment relationship, to ensure effective and real protection for workers.

The Ombudsperson emphasizes the importance of non-discrimination and the integration of the gender agenda in all employment policies and practices, as a condition for sustainable development and a just society.