Twenty civil society organizations and workers’ trade unions today addressed a letter of advocacy to the deputies of the Assembly of Kosovo, requesting the approval of the Minimum Wage Law. The letter was sent on the occasion of the upcoming International Workers’ Rights Day – May 1st.
Full letter:
Advocacy Letter
On the occasion of International Workers’ Day – May 1
Dear Members of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo,
We, the undersigned civil society organizations, are addressing you regarding the urgent matter of the Draft Law on Amendments and Supplements to the Laws Determining the Amount of Benefits at the Level of the Minimum Wage in Kosovo. This Draft Law has been stalled since June 2022, meaning it has exceeded the procedural deadline by which it should have been put to a second vote.
It should be emphasized that the current minimum wage level in Kosovo, set for the first and last time in 2011, is by no means aligned with economic developments, especially the rapid inflation increase over the past year—a rise that continues this year as well. This has made life more difficult for citizens, particularly those living in poverty. Additionally, Kosovo now has the lowest minimum wage in the region, considering that all other regional countries have already taken measures and decisions to increase their minimum wages.
The proposed draft law on the minimum wage is a step towards ensuring that all workers in Kosovo are paid a fairer wage that reflects the cost of living. Although insufficient, this law will provide much-needed relief for low-wage workers to cope with living expenses, and it will also help reduce poverty and inequality.
Despite concerns that the minimum wage might negatively impact business competitiveness, research and experiences from many economies have shown that businesses actually benefit from increasing the minimum wage, as it boosts worker productivity, increases overall social consumption, and reduces employee turnover, which stabilizes businesses in general. Additionally, this helps address a critical issue in Kosovo and the region – migration – a phenomenon that is directly affecting and will continue to affect Kosovo’s businesses through labor shortages.
We consider it the responsibility of public institutions to take measures and make decisions that enhance the well-being and human dignity of the citizens of the Republic of Kosovo. A dignified wage and dignified work are among the main factors that influence well-being. Therefore, we call on you to vote in favor of the new minimum wage law.
Thus, you will take an important step towards promoting social justice and equality for all citizens of Kosovo.
Thanks for your commitment to this urgent matter.
April 27, 2023, Prishtina
Sincerely,
- Institute for Social Policies Musine Kokalari
- Independent Union of IPKO Workers
- Union of Workers of Limak Kosovo Airport
- Union of the Private Sector of Kosovo
- Advocacy Training & Resource Center – ATRC
- Community Development Fund – CDF
- Green Energy Kosova
- Kosovar Initiative for Stability – IKS
- Quality Institute for Research and Training – iCHat
- NGO Divine Woman
- NGO LENS
- NGO Zana
- Kosovo Center for Gender Studies – KCGS
- Kosovo Center for Security Studies – KCSS
- Center for Policy and Advocacy – CPA
- QIKA
- Network of Kosovo Women’s Group – NKWG
- Sbunker
- Women 4 Women – W4W
- NGO EDUCO