Members of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo raised social policy issues only 177 times throughout 2021. While social dialogue and worker inclusion were the most frequently mentioned topics, issues concerning persons with disabilities were mentioned the least. Meanwhile, parliamentary committees raised only 47 issues related to social policies.
This is one of the findings from monitoring all statements and initiatives of the deputies during 34 sessions of the Assembly and 110 meetings of parliamentary committees, conducted by the Institute for Social Policy Musine Kokalari. The Institute has started implementing the project “Social Oversight,” which involves monitoring the work and engagement of the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo and representatives of the citizens regarding social policies. This project is made possible and supported by the Olof Palme International Center.
The monitoring and analysis were conducted based on the ten principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights: Education and training for the labor market; Equal opportunities; Social dialogue and worker involvement; Support for the unemployed; Inclusion of persons with disabilities; Gender equality; Workplace safety; Care and support for children; Income and old-age pensions; Access to essential services.
According to our research, during the year 2021, the Parliamentary Group of the Vetëvendosje Movement raised 56 proposals, discussions, or issues related to social policies; the Democratic Party of Kosovo – 55; the Democratic League of Kosovo – 19, while the Serbian List raised none.
Out of 120 deputies, 57 of them did not mention any issue related to the ten components of social policies during the 34 sessions held.
Furthermore, none of the 28 draft laws processed in the fields of social, health, and environmental legislation were enacted into law by the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo during 2021.
The Social Housing Draft Law was also included in the legislative program approved for the first time, but without any public explanation or written justification, it was withdrawn from the legislative program at the government meeting held on September 8, 2021.
The Musine Kokalari Institute for Social Policies also considers the merger of the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare to be mistaken. Although the departments within this ministry responsible for labor and social welfare issues continue to operate, placing them under the political umbrella of the Ministry of Finance is both a conceptual and practical problem. Conceptually, social welfare is then seen only from the financial and budgetary feasibility perspective, and not from the perspective of social needs and rights. Practically, the focus shifts to the budget balance rather than on social policies aimed at social transformation. Social welfare is not just about financial transfers. Likewise, labor issues should not be viewed solely as cost reduction. Here, we are talking about the social rights that citizens of the Republic of Kosovo should enjoy, which ought to be designed through policies proposed by the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare and then balanced by financial possibilities.
The Assembly of Kosovo has not published any electronic voting records of parliamentary decisions throughout the entire year of 2021. The citizens of Kosovo cannot know what and how their elected representatives voted. The inability (whether due to technical or procurement issues) to access the deputies’ voting records is not an acceptable reason for the lack of a fundamental instrument of parliamentary transparency.
Furthermore, the Parliamentary Committees, such as the Committee on Health and Social Welfare, as well as the Committee on Budget, Labor, and Transfers, have not overseen the implementation of any law related to social issues for an entire year, including general working conditions and specifically those during the pandemic. Additionally, no public hearings or other meaningful discussions have taken place regarding the reform of pension and social schemes.
The Committee on Budget, Labor, and Transfers has never had a substantive discussion on issues related to labor and social matters.
The Parliamentary Committee on Health and Social Welfare has failed to oversee the implementation of labor legislation, occupational safety and health, as well as to substantively address complaints regarding the protection of labor rights in both the public and private sectors.
The Assembly of Kosovo has failed to initiate motions in the form of parliamentary debates or interpellations to discuss why the Government of Kosovo has not started social reform.
The Institute for Social Policies Musine Kokalari recommends:
The Assembly of Kosovo should request the Government of Kosovo to reconsider the issue of abolishing the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare.
Parliamentary committees should plan their annual work schedule more precisely and effectively, including the aspect of monitoring the implementation of laws as one of the main parts of their work. Representing the interests of citizens is a right, but it is also the Assembly’s responsibility to oversee the most important aspects of state institutions.
The Assembly of Kosovo should create opportunities as soon as possible to publish the deputies’ votes throughout 2021, and announce this through the media once the votes are posted on the official website.
The Assembly should request from the Government of Kosovo to submit the Legislative Program to the Assembly no later than December 15 of the previous year, so that each committee has enough time to provide its comments and so that these comments can be addressed during the plenary session when the program is approved. In other words, the Assembly should enter the new year with an approved Legislative Program.
You can download the full report at the following link:
Prishtinë, January 30, 2022