Kurti: From July 1, the minimum wage is 500 euros gross, around 150,000 workers benefit

At the 9th Electoral Congress of the Union of Independent Trade Unions of Kosovo (BSPK), acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti stated that workers are the fundamental pillar of the country’s development, while emphasizing that the Government’s policies are focused on creating a fairer labor market.

During his address to those present, he spoke about the issue of the minimum wage, recalling that it had remained unchanged for more than a decade.

“Since 2011, the minimum wage had remained at 130 euros and 170 euros, depending on the worker’s age, specifically whether you are older or younger than 35. This long period of stagnation created serious difficulties for private sector workers,” Kurti said.

According to him, during the government he leads, the minimum wage has been increased in several stages.

“Meanwhile, now the minimum wage has been raised, because it has increased gradually and continuously: from 130 euros and 170 euros, initially during our government to 250 euros, then to 350 euros, then to 425 euros, and from July 1 this year, the minimum wage is 500 euros gross. Around 150,000 private sector workers benefit from this increase,” he said.

Kurti assessed that this development clearly shows that, after a decade-long period of stagnation, the minimum wage has tripled within a significantly shorter period of time.

“This clearly shows that, after a decade of stagnation, within a much shorter period the minimum wage has been tripled. It is clear evidence that economic growth must always be accompanied by increased well-being for citizens and by an improvement in workers’ conditions,” he declared.

Another Government priority, according to Kurti, remains strengthening the institutional mechanisms that ensure the implementation of labor law, as he mentioned that the Central Labor Inspectorate is being reinforced.

“In this regard, the Central Labor Inspectorate is being strengthened. Just a few weeks ago, in June 2026, the competition was opened for 39 new inspectors, of whom 24 are for occupational safety and health and 15 for labor relations,” he said.

He also announced that work is proceeding in parallel on legal changes in the field of labor.

“We are working on improving the legal framework in the field of labor, with the aim that it guarantees fairer representation of workers, expansion of social dialogue, and a more sustainable balance between employees and employers,” Kurti declared.

In his address, the acting prime minister also said that active employment schemes have been established through the Employment Agency of the Republic of Kosovo, including the “Superpuna” program and other forms of support for businesses, with the aim of opening new jobs and encouraging employment for young people, women, and other categories that face difficulties in the labor market.