Discussion with women workers in garment and footwear factories in Kamëz on safety, health and rights in the workplace

Today, 20.4.2023, in Kamëz, we held an important discussion with women workers in garment and footwear factories. The discussion focused mainly on rights, safety and health in the workplace, the impact of the minimum wage increase, the effectiveness of occupational safety and health councils, as well as on solidarity among employees and managers.

This discussion was an important opportunity to analyze and discuss important problems affecting productivity and working conditions in their factories. Through this discussion, the women workers raised their voices and showed their interest in changing and improving working conditions in their workplaces.

We discussed the minimum wage increase and its impact on the employees of the garment and footwear factories. The women said that the increase in the minimum wage would bring about an improvement of working conditions and would ensure a better livelihood for employees, but nonetheless it should be seen how the wage increase will be done for women who have years of experience compared to women who have just started work.

The discussion also focused on the effectiveness of occupational health and safety councils. The women said that safety and health councils are important in order to ensure that employees have safe and healthy conditions in the workplace but it is not uncommon for these councils to not function properly. They also discussed that a healthy and safe working environment would affect their performance and productivity.

Finally, the importance of solidarity among employees and managers was discussed. The women workers said that solidarity is important in order to improve working conditions and ensure a healthy work environment.

During the meeting, GADC's toll-free number 0800 18 18 was shared with the women and girls, a number where they can report any violations in the workplace.

Thank you for the support Olof Palmes Internationella Center and Embassy of Sweden in Tirana.