Written by economist Edison Jakurti, the research “A Living Wage for Workers in Kosovo: Striving for a Basic but Dignified Life” provides the first estimates of the living wage in Kosovo. The living wage ensures that workers and their families can afford a basic but dignified life.
Using the methodology of Anker and Anker (2017), the study assesses:
-For a family of four: €1,295 gross (€1,152 net), starting from €1,224 gross (€1,091 net) in rural areas to €1,394 gross (€1,236 net) in urban areas.
-For a single adult: €816 gross (€720 net), with variations from €762 gross (€674 net) to €880 gross (€775 net).
The findings reveal a significant gap between current minimum wages and the estimated living wage, highlighting that many minimum wage workers struggle to cover basic needs. Despite the proposed increases, the new minimum wage will still fall short of a living wage.
Key insights include:
-Only 20% of salaries meet the living wage standard.
-Wage inequality is evident, especially in public administration.
-Men’s wages are closer to the living wage compared to women’s wages.
-Only three economic sectors meet the living wage for both genders: “Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply”, “Information and communication” and “Activities of extraterritorial organizations and bodies”.
The study calls for urgent action by the government, businesses, unions and NGOs to address these gaps and work towards eradicating working poverty in Kosovo.
For more, read the full report:
May 29 2024