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Albania, for years, suffers from a lack of labor force. To alleviate this problem, the Government is in negotiations with the Philippines for an agreement that would bring thousands of workers. Business representatives - mainly from the tourism and manufacturing sectors, which face a significant shortage of workers - say they welcome this step. Experts and activists are not all in one mind: for some, such an agreement is overdue, and for others it does not guarantee success.
Albania "in line" for workers from the Philippines
He said that this agreement will enable, in addition to training and increasing the quality of workers, to meet the needs of the market for qualified employees. Then it was the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, who announced which country it is about. "We are negotiating with the Philippines. If you look at the list of countries from Austria and other countries... it's full. Thirty-eight European countries are in line to sign agreements with the Philippines on the labor side," said Rama.
Why do young people choose to work outside Albania?
Also, the target is no longer Italy or Greece, but Germany and the United Kingdom. Yes, according to the study, young people who study abroad do not want to return.
Aurora Barçi, born and raised in Burrel, left Albania in 2010 and began her studies at the University of Turin in Italy, in the "Banking, Stock Exchange and Insurance" branch. "Italy had many financial advantages and offered scholarships, as well as very good conditions for students, such as: comfortable dormitories, quality food at reduced prices in university canteens, minimal taxes for students receiving scholarships, subscription to public transport and health insurance at a reduced price," says Aurora.
"Another advantage was the additional study scholarships, which gave students the opportunity to work in different university facilities, such as: computer labs, information offices, etc. These scholarships ranged from 100 to 300 hours a year and were awarded on the basis of meritocracy, with payments from 9 to 11 euros per hour," she tells Radio Free Europe. He also says that precisely the lack of meritocracy in Albania was a reason for him to leave and not think about returning. "Germany, where I currently live for seven years, offers good working conditions, a minimum wage of 12.41 euros per hour and regular working hours - eight hours a day. Rest days, payment for overtime, annual leave, maternity leave are respected...", says Aurora.
"Unfortunately for us, Albania is far from this standard", according to her. Even Eneda Tollja, who recently completed her studies in England, says that she does not think of returning to Albania. "I work as a supervisor in a restaurant. Of course, I aim for another job related to my education. I came as a master's student, after I completed my bachelor's in Albania for the Economics branch," she says. "I don't think of going back, because I know that here in Birmingham the opportunities are great, I have invested a lot in myself. I don't know how much my investment will be valued for myself if I return, salaries are not good in Albania", says Eneda for Radio Free Europe.
In Albania, according to official data, the average salary is 75,000 ALL or 750 euros. However, 60 percent of employees have a salary lower than the average.
Business suffers for workers, welcomes agreement
Manufacturing business, or the production of clothing and shoes, is among the sectors with the most shortages of employees. Florian Zekja, from the "Pro-Export" association that brings together manufacturing businesses, says that the agreement with the Philippines will be a good solution for the business, which cannot find qualified employees. "For a worker, a young man to have ambitions to run away and work abroad, there is nothing wrong... to go where it is best for him. I don't think the business, in general, provides pay and conditions according to the jobs. But, for this gap created, of course, a solution must be found on how to fill it. In this sense, the business welcomes a state agreement for workers", says Zekja for Radio Free Europe.
Jeta Hoxha, head of a tourist agency in Albania, says that with the tourism boom that Albania is experiencing, the lack of workers in this sector is a big problem. "This [with the Philippines] is quite a good solution, because it has often happened to us that workers from third countries have left, but the fact that it will be the country in the middle, I think it is a kind of guarantee that they will not leave," she says. for Radio Free Europe.
Experts: Delayed initiation and success is not certain
The expert of the economy in Albania, Fatos Çoçoli, sees the expected agreement as delayed. "...but, better late than never," he says. "Countries around us, such as Montenegro, North Macedonia or Serbia, have implemented these agreements for years. We need a new, skilled workforce. The contracts will be at the level of the ministries, so they are the right guarantees", says Çoçoli for Radio Free Europe. Even the employment expert, Kumrije Zika, sees such an agreement as necessary, although she is not completely convinced of its success. She is of the opinion that the Albanian state, over the years, should have taken steps to support Albanian workers and offer them better wages and working conditions.
"At the moment that the agreement is interstate, of course the worker cannot use our country as a transit, as it comes under this agreement. It comes at a time when the business needs and is interested in it". "In this case, the interest of the Albanian worker is not seen, but of the business and the state. If the interest of Albanian workers was seen over the years, they would be offered higher wages, or housing, as is offered to foreigners", says Zika for Radio Free Europe. According to her, it remains to be seen if the expected agreement will be successful./ REL
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