Halilaj Calls for Implementation of Auditor’s Recommendations on Workplace Absences and Contract Terminations

Although they failed to report to work, 20 officials from the Ministry of Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure continued to receive salaries.

The officials in question belong to the Serb community and are linked to the former “Civil Protection.” A decision was recently made to terminate their employment contracts.

In a statement to “Bota sot,” lawyer Gazmend Halilaj said Kosovo’s institutions must act whenever it is proven that an official has failed to perform their duties or has received a salary without working, regardless of their ethnic or political affiliation.

According to Halilaj, the Ministry’s termination of the contracts of officials who had not performed their duties for years constitutes a lawful and fair decision that respects the principles of sound public administration and accountability. He stressed that no one can retain a position in the state administration if they do not perform the work for which they are paid, regardless of political connections or ethnic affiliation.

The lawyer also emphasized that institutions are legally required to implement the recommended measures if the National Audit Office has identified violations.

Halilaj called on Kosovo’s institutions to conduct a full and impartial review of all cases involving suspected unjustified absences, failure to perform duties, or receipt of salaries without working. According to him, every action must be based on the law, evidence, and proper administrative procedures, rather than on political or ethnic motives.

Regarding former members of the so-called “Civil Protection,” he said the integration process must be distinguished from the way it was implemented in practice.

He explained that the integration stemmed from obligations under the dialogue agreements and was intended to extend the constitutional order and sovereignty of the Republic of Kosovo to the north of the country. In principle, according to Halilaj, this process was not misguided, as long as the aim was to incorporate these individuals into Kosovo’s institutions and place them under its laws.

In conclusion, Halilaj said the institutions have a responsibility to take the necessary legal measures if it is subsequently established that certain individuals did not work, boycotted the institutions, or were paid without performing their duties.

According to him, the rule of law requires every public official to be held accountable for their actions and inaction, while public administration must be guided by legality, professionalism, and the public interest.