Democratic Party MP Jorida Tabaku linked the rising cost of living to corruption and the way public money is distributed.
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In a video published as part of the “Corner of the Week” segment, she contrasted the difficulties faced by families living on salaries with the benefits that, according to her, go to a privileged circle close to those in power.
Tabaku said the start of the school year has added between 11,000 and 40,000 lek per child to families’ expenses. According to her, these costs come on top of food, rent, transportation and energy at a time when wages are failing to keep pace with rising prices.
Citing calculations, the MP said that a family earning two minimum wages spends around 90% of its income on basic food items and rent.
According to her, to cover other expenses, the family may end the month around 43,000 lek in debt. She also gave the example of a family with a monthly income of around 130,000 lek, for which she calculated a shortfall of around 9,000 lek at the end of the month.
“This is the reality of Albanian families who live on their wages,” Tabaku said. She described corruption as a burden that ultimately falls on citizens and called for changes to a system that, according to her, favors a minority while impoverishing Albanian families.
Full statement:
This was the first week of school and, for many families, it came with additional expenses. Preparing one child for school has cost families between 11,000 and 40,000 lek. This is a cost that continues to rise throughout the year and adds to the daily burden of living expenses.
That is why it is worth talking about wages and understanding how an Albanian family manages on the income it has today. Anyone who does their own grocery shopping knows how difficult it is to make it to the end of the month on an ordinary salary when faced with food prices, transportation costs, children’s school expenses, energy bills and rent.
There is a real problem here. On average, around 40% of income goes toward basic food items, while rent or loan repayments can take up as much as 50–60%.
Let us take the example of a family earning two minimum wages. Almost 90% of its income is spent from the outset on food and rent. According to our calculations, this family may end the month with a shortfall of around 43,000 lek, which it must cover by borrowing. If the data we have are accurate, around one in four families lives on the minimum wage.
Let us also take the example of a family with a monthly income of around 130,000 lek. Even for this family, monthly expenses exceed income by around 9,000 lek. According to these calculations, only a family with an income of around 150,000 lek per month manages to have some money left over at the end.
This is the monthly story of Albanian families who live on their wages. They do not have access to tenders, concessions or economic favors that, in our view, are distributed to those close to the government. They face rising prices, rents and apartment prices.
This is where the inequality lies: on one side are families that barely make it to the end of the month and borrow money to meet their needs; on the other is a minority that benefits from public funds. According to the figures we have presented, wages have risen by 27% over the past 15 years, while prices have increased by over 34%. This means that the purchasing power of wages has fallen. Families feel this every day, from the price of fuel to the price of food.
When we talk about the economy, wages and quality of life, we must look at what is happening at the tables of Albanian families. The economic growth shown on paper, particularly growth driven by construction, does not necessarily translate into prosperity for families. We have raised concerns that money originating from corruption and money laundering is also circulating in this sector.
The reality faced by families cannot be separated from the way public funds are used. The cases involving KAYO, the incinerators, healthcare tenders and AKSHI are, for us, reasons to demand accountability and transparency. The cost of corruption ultimately weighs on the public budget and on citizens.
A system that serves the privileged while families face high prices and debt cannot be the answer for Albanians. Albania needs change: an economy that serves families and a better future.
