ILO Delegation Discusses Key Social Protection and Labor Reforms with Albanian Authorities

Tirana, Albania — A series of high-level meetings between the International Labour Organization (ILO) and Albanian government officials focused on strengthening Albania's labor market policies, advancing social protection, and supporting the country’s EU accession process.

Beate Andrees, ILO Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, and Claire Harasty, Director of ILO Central and Eastern Europe, met with key Albanian officials, including Ms. Albania Kociu, Minister of Health and Social Protection, and Ms. Denada Seferi, Deputy Minister of Health and Social Protection. The discussions centered on Albania’s role as one of the ten "pathfinder" countries for the UN Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions. Minister Kociu reiterated the Albanian government's commitment to the interventions outlined in the Global Accelerator, which aims to ensure fair transitions for workers in the green economy and other sectors and the implementation of the policy paper on Occupational and Health in Workplaces.

A particular focus of the meeting was the care economy, with both sides emphasizing the need for enhanced investment in social services such as child, disability, and elderly care. By expanding these services, the government aims to enable more women to access paid employment, creating more equitable opportunities for economic participation and improved services.

Social Dialogue and EU Accession

In a separate meeting, Andrees and Harasty met with the representatives of  the Social Partners in Albania: Mr. Gezim Kalaja, President of the Independent Trade Unions of Albania, Mr. Kol Nikollaj, President of the Confederation of Trade Unions of Albania, Mr. Luan Bregasi, President of BiznesAlbania, and Mr. Koli Sinjari, Executive Director of Biznes Albania. The discussions underscored the importance of effective social dialogue in Albania's efforts to align with EU standards, particularly as the country progresses with its EU accession negotiations.

The social partners expressed their full commitment to supporting the Albanian government in meeting its EU obligations and advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A key point of agreement was the need to strengthen Albania’s National Labour Council and its technical sub-committees, which are pivotal in driving labor market reforms and promoting social justice. The ILO pledged to continue providing technical support to help both employers' and workers' organizations contribute more effectively to the reform process.

Decent Work and Labor Market Reforms

A constructive meeting with Blendi Gonxhja, Minister of Economy, Culture, and Innovation, further explored areas of collaboration between the Albanian Ministry and the ILO. The discussions highlighted the ongoing work under the Decent Work Country Programme 2023-2026, a framework aimed at improving working conditions and social protections in Albania. Both parties agreed that progress has been strong, particularly in areas such as reducing informality in the labor market and strengthening occupational safety and health policies. The meeting also focused on aligning Albania's labor laws with EU standards, particularly in industrial relations and social security. Another key topic was the strengthening of social dialogue, with a focus on important reforms such as pensions, minimum wage policies, and continued development of the care economy. The ILO reaffirmed its commitment to providing ongoing technical assistance and support for Albania as it seeks to implement these crucial reforms, supporting both workers and employers in achieving a more inclusive and resilient economy.

Collaboration with UN Albania

During their visit, Beate Andrees and Claire Harasty also met with the UN Albania Country Team and held a separate meeting with Fiona McCluney, the UN Resident Coordinator in Albania. The discussions centered on the ongoing collaboration between the ILO and the UN, particularly in the context of the Government of Albania-UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework.

McCluney expressed appreciation for the ILO's active role in various joint programs that aim to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Albania. The UN Resident Coordinator highlighted the positive impact of ILO’s initiatives, particularly those related to social protection, decent work, and inclusive economic growth, which align with Albania’s broader SDG agenda.

Visit to Vocational School in Kamza

In addition to their meetings with government officials, Beate Andrees and Claire Harasty visited the vocational high school in Kamza, Albania. This school, the largest Vocational Education and Training (VET) institution in the country with a focus on agriculture, is set to benefit from the newly launched project, “Digital Agriculture for Rural Transformation”.

The initiative, introduced by the ILO in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and the Government of Albania, aims to modernize agricultural education. Kamza VET is one of six agricultural-focused institutions participating in this project.