Labor Rights and Decent Wages: Meeting with Women Employees in Garment and Footwear Production Factories

17.5.2024

On May 17, 2024, Gender Alliance for Development Center organized a special meeting with women workers in the garment and footwear manufacturing sector in Tirana. The main topic of the meeting was "Protecting women’s rights in the labor market."

During this meeting, the problems faced by women employed in the sector in their daily work were raised and discussed. The discussions covered a wide range of important issues, including:

- Workplace risks and rights: The discussions focused on issues such as work-related diseases, provisions for pregnant women, and protection regarding the night shift.

- Motherhood and childcare: Issues of motherhood, childcare, and parental leave were discussed, emphasizing the importance of supporting women who balance family and professional duties.

- Working hours and work in shifts: We spoke about weekly working hours, annual leave and how shift work functions, with the aim of improving working conditions for women in this sector.

An important aspect of the discussion was decent wages. It is time to give equal importance to the payment these women receive for their work. The discussions emphasized the need for a fair and equal compensation for their work, addressing the current inequalities.

During the meeting, a detailed presentation was given about work contracts for women employed in the garment and footwear production sector, including individual, collective, fixed-term and indefinite contracts. In addition, there were discussions about the relationships between employer and employee in cases of contract termination, focusing on workers’ rights and the correct procedures to be followed.

A special focus of the discussion was the organization and cooperation among women workers in the sector. Only by joining our voices and using strong arguments can we change this situation. Let us create a society where gender rights are respected and wages are fair.

This meeting was an important step towards advancing women’s rights in the labor market and improving working conditions for women in the garment and footwear manufacturing sector. We will keep working to protect their rights and to create a working environment that is more equal and fair.