18 public labour disputes public mediators and conciliators certified on labour dispute mediation/conciliation skills by ITCILO

More than 15,000 labour disputes were filed in the civil courts during 2015-2020. Settled mainly through civil courts, labour disputes have caused excessive workload on the Albanian courts, with many cases still pending examination for a long time now, and inflicting high costs to the disputing parties.

The International Labor Organization (ILO), through the project "Access to Justice in Labour Disputes through Mediation and Conciliation", with the financial support of the Government of Sweden, has developed a tailor-made training and certification programme on mediation/conciliation of labour disputes for Albanian public mediators and conciliators.  The training programme was developed jointly by international and national experts and aims to equip public mediators and conciliators with sound knowledge and practical skills of consensus-building and conflict management to help workers and employers in Albania to peacefully resolve labour disputes.

Throughout 2021-2022, the ILO through its international training center (ITCILO) has trained 80 mediators, conciliators and labour administration employees that deal with labour disputes from the 12 districts of the country. Participants were equipped with knowledge and professional skills to conduct mediation and conciliation procedures for labour disputes.

On 19-22 April 2022, the ILO Office for Central and Eastern Europe and the International Training Center of the ILO (ITCILO), in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance and Economy, started the second round of training courses for mediators and conciliators of labour disputes. 34 public and private mediators, members of tripartite state conciliation offices (public conciliators) and other labour administration employees handling labour disputes (56% women) were trained on mediation/conciliation skills.

Ms. Andrea Franconi, ITCILO trainer, said: “The role of conciliators/mediators is crucial for developing effective dispute resolution systems. If conciliators/mediators are properly trained in conflict management and negotiation processes, they can contribute to developing strong and sound labour and industrial relations in Albania”.

The training package will be transferred to the Ministry of Finance and Economy, to train the Albanian public structures of mediation and conciliation of labour disputes. Ms Dorina Nika, ILO Project Coordinator said: “Through these specialized training courses and tools, we aim to develop among public mediators and conciliators sound knowledge and practical skills of consensus-building and conflict management so that they are better equipped to help disputing parties in reaching consensual agreements and resolve collective disputes. In addition, we aim to equip the Ministry responsible for labour with specialized training tools so that they can continue to train the public mediators/conciliators in the future”. 

The first 15 public mediators and 3 members of the National Conciliation Office (representatives of trade unions and employers’ organization) were certified by the ITCILO on 19 April 2022 after successful accomplishment of a series of training, coaching and rigorous assessment by international experts. The certification ceremony was organized with the participation of Mr Albin Gega, Director of Employment Policies and Vocational Training, in the Ministry of Finance and Economy, Mr Klevis Hysa, Director General of the National Employment Agency for Employment and Skills, Ms. Andrea Isabel Franconi (ITCILO Officer), and Mrs. Zhulieta Harasani, ILO National Coordinator for Albania. They congratulated and handed over the Certificates of Achievement to the first group of mediators and members of the National Conciliation Office that successfully completed the 2021 courses.

The project “Access to Justice in Labour Disputes through Mediation and Conciliation” is implemented in Albania by the ILO, with the financial support of the Government of Sweden. The project aims to improve access to justice for all, including vulnerable groups of workers through peaceful settlement of labour disputes, collective bargaining and collective agreements, and the creation of informed policies on amicable settlements of labour disputes.