Government blocks magistrates’ salaries, Civil Chamber administration at Tirana Court launches boycott, suspending services and court proceedings

The administration of the Civil Chamber of the Tirana Court has launched a general boycott, blocking services and court proceedings in protest against the government’s decision to block magistrates’ salaries.

The administration notified the court president of the boycott, while employees were informed that a position would be taken following a meeting of the presidents of all the courts, scheduled for 15:00 at the Supreme Court.

The deadlock arose after Parliament failed to approve the new salary formula for magistrates by the July 31 deadline, in accordance with the Constitutional Court’s request.

After the deadline expired, the High Judicial Council and the High Prosecutorial Council determined that they were obliged to directly implement the court’s decision and set a new reference salary of 222,425 lekë, up from the previous 156,800 lekë, along with a 14,000-lekë supplement for the qualification level.

However, the Ministry of Finance did not execute the payrolls prepared on the basis of the new increase. The ministry argued that determining the salary formula falls under Parliament’s authority and requested that the payrolls be resubmitted using the previous methodology.

As a result, August salaries have not been paid to a considerable part of the justice system, including not only judges and prosecutors, but also employees of the court and prosecution administrations.