TIRANA, July 1 /ATA/ – Albania’s Confederation of Trade Unions (KSSH) welcomed on Wednesday the government’s decision to establish a Central Labour Inspectorate, describing the move as a long-awaited step towards strengthening oversight of labour relations despite the lack of full consultation with social partners.
Under the decision approved by the Council of Ministers, the new inspectorate will operate through a central authority and five regional directorates.
In a statement, the Confederation said the creation of the institution had long been a key demand of Albania’s trade union movement, although it expressed regret that the government had not carried out a comprehensive consultation process with trade unions and other social partners before adopting the measure.
The Confederation said the new structure would improve the inspectorate’s effectiveness and provide a more coherent framework for supervising labour relations.
“However, institutional reform must be accompanied by amendments to labour legislation in line with European Union standards and International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions, guaranteeing the functional independence of the inspectorate, the professionalism of labour inspectors and the equal application of the law,” the statement said.
KSSH reiterated its support for reforms, institutions and partnership mechanisms introduced by the government and public and private employers, provided they serve the public interest and safeguard the rights of Albanian workers.
“State institutions must serve the rule of law, social justice and the public interest, rather than narrow political or economic interests,” it said.
The Confederation added that it would closely monitor the establishment and operation of the Central Labour Inspectorate and called for social partners to be involved in drafting implementing legislation and overseeing the reform to ensure it delivers tangible improvements for workers and the labour market in Albania.
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