Priorities and challenges of women in the garment and footwear sector in Albania: A call for cooperation and improvement

On 25.7.2023, Gender Alliance for Development Center organized an important roundtable discussion on the topic: "Women, wages and insurance in the garment and footwear manufacturing sector in Albania". The purpose of this roundtable was to focus on discussions regarding social insurance, pension and minimum wage of workers in the garment and footwear manufacturing sector in Albania.

As we are all aware, workers’ rights, protection from discrimination and equal opportunities are fundamental issues in the field of labor and human rights, therefore it is important to analyze and address the specific difficulties and challenges faced by workers in the garment and footwear manufacturing sector in Albania.

In order to discuss such important and sensitive issues, representatives from state institutions, producers’ associations, officials of the garment and footwear industry, representatives from trade unions and civil society organizations were invited to the roundtable.

Representatives such as Mrs. Irida Qosja from the State Labor and Social Services Inspectorate, Mrs. Edlira Krekas from the Social Insurance Institute, Mr. Robert Gajda, Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination, showed that these are issues of importance for the state and government, as well as for human rights.

Furthermore, the official representative of the garment and footwear industry, Mr. Edvin Prençe, President of Pro-Export Albania, representatives from civil society organizations and trade unions of various sectors, Mr. Steven McCloud from Solidarity Center, as well as representatives of the Coalition for Labor Rights were also present.

Part of the roundtable was also a representative of the garment factory workers, who shared in greater detail the problems she faces in her daily job. Her concerns include unpaid contributions and insurance by her former employer; the fact that, even though there has been indexing after the minimum wage increase on April 1, wages continue to be paid partly in cash and not entirely by bank; overlong work hours; working on Saturdays; and the fact that they have never been able to receive more than 2 weeks of annual leave.

The discussion also emphasized the fact that the workers are pressured to not be organized to protect their rights, and that the violations in transferring obligations from one NIPT (subject identification number) to the other should be seriously addressed.

In addition, the importance of immediately reporting violations of workers’ rights was emphasized as a necessary step towards improvement. The availability on e-albania of the status of insurance payments, as well as the efforts of ProEksport Albania to enhance employers’ capacities are positive steps towards healthier relations among the parties. 

These and other issues were discussed at length by the participants in this roundtable, putting emphasis on cooperation to identify problems and improve the working conditions of women workers in the garment and footwear manufacturing sector.

Lastly, it is also very important to appreciate and draw attention to good and successful cases of factories that fulfill the conditions according to the legislation in force and the labour code.

Given that this event is supported by Olof Palme International Center and the Swedish Government, there is a responsible and reliable guarantee that this is an important step towards improving working conditions for women in the garment and footwear sector in Albania.