The number of work-related fatalities has reached worrisome figures in Kosovo, a country with a population of less than 2 million.
Kosovo has the highest mortality rate in the region.
According to statistics, the rate is 6.5 deaths per 100.000 workers, while in the EU the ratio is 1.8.
The head of the EU delegation to Kosovo Tomas Szunyog, as well as the leader of the Private Sector Union Jusuf Azemi visited a workshop at the underground parking of the University of Pristina.
Szunyog called for increased workplace security as incidents skyrocketed over the last 3 years.
Over 60 workers died in workplace in Kosovo in 3 years. Visited a construction site & spoke to Head of Private Sector Union #JusufAzemi about making work environment in #Kosovo safe&healthy. All who leave 4 work in the morning must return home safely. #StrongerTogether EU4Kosovo pic.twitter.com/M7qcwlZR94
— Ambassador Tomáš Szunyog (@EUAmbKS) May 20, 2021
On the other hand, Azemi blamed the country’s institutions for not doing enough to guarantee the well-being of the workers.
“The scope of our visit is raising awareness in improving workplace security. We’re not doing enough to secure the welfare and guarantee security in the private sector”, he said.
In a report compiled by the Labour Inspectorate, in 2020 there were thirty incidents reported in the construction sector alone.
