Minister Hoti: More than 8,000 businesses inspected for workplace safety this year

The Minister of Labor, Family and Values of the Liberation War, Andin Hoti, announced that during the current year authorities have carried out inspections at over 8,000 businesses and locations across Kosovo. He also announced the launch of an awareness campaign to improve safety and health conditions in workplaces.

Regarding the case of the 54-year-old worker who lost his life at a construction site, the minister expressed his condolences for the tragedy and said that the Inspectorate is still drafting a report on the circumstances of the incident.

Hoti stressed that beyond inspections, raising awareness among companies and employees about complying with workplace safety rules is equally important.

“We have taken several measures within this year. In addition to these measures, we have inspected over eight thousand businesses or locations in Kosovo during the year. I regret the tragic loss of the 54-year-old a week ago. According to the information I have, the Inspectorate is still preparing a report and it concerned a construction that had just begun. The incident occurred from the ground floor toward the basement. The same company has been inspected several times, but not this part of the construction, because it had just started… What needs to be done is an awareness campaign for businesses and workers. Companies must meet all occupational safety and health requirements, but so must employees, who are not few and about whom businesses complain that they are not respecting these obligations,” he said.

On another topic, when asked about Kosovo citizens living and working in Slovenia, Hoti said that Slovenian authorities have requested a meeting with Kosovo institutions to discuss regular labor migration.

According to him, the talks are expected to address opportunities for legal employment in Slovenia for qualified workers who are in Kosovo and aim to work there.

He added that he cannot comment on the political statements of the Slovenian prime minister, underlining the importance of inter-institutional cooperation on issues affecting Kosovo citizens abroad.

“As for our workers who work in Slovenia, of course there cannot be such a political stance, but we cannot comment on political statements made by various prime ministers. You know how many citizens work today in Slovenia, and it has not been long since Slovenia asked to hold a meeting with us to promote regular migration to Slovenia for skilled workers who are in Kosovo and wish to work in Slovenia,” he stressed.