RTK Union Writes to Kurti and Haxhiu: Salaries Have Not Been Paid, Immediate Institutional Response Sought

The Trade Union Federation of Radio Television of Kosovo has sent a letter to acting president Albulena Haxhiu and acting prime minister Albin Kurti, asking institutions to intervene urgently over the non-payment of salaries for Radio Television of Kosovo employees.

According to the FSRTK, the situation surrounding salaries is deeply concerning, as their delay beyond the deadline set by law is not merely an administrative or financial issue, but a direct violation of a fundamental labor right and the dignity of every worker.

In its letter, the Federation stresses that this is not an isolated incident. It recalls that just one month ago, on June 7, it was forced to organize protests for the same reason, believing that this reaction would serve as a serious signal to the responsible institutions and lead to concrete measures to prevent the situation from recurring. However, according to the Federation, the same violation has been repeated, demonstrating a lack of institutional responsibility and a failure to fulfill one of the most basic obligations toward workers.

The Trade Union Federation of Radio Television of Kosovo (RTK), as the legitimate representative of the public broadcaster’s employees, is addressing you with deep concern regarding the situation created by the non-payment of RTK workers’ salaries, which, even on July 9, 2026, have still not been executed.

The failure to pay salaries within the legally prescribed deadline is not merely an administrative or financial problem, but a direct infringement of a fundamental labor right and the dignity of every worker. A salary is compensation earned through work, guaranteed by the legislation in force in the Republic of Kosovo and by international standards for the protection of workers’ rights.

This situation has become even more worrying because it is not an isolated case. Just one month ago, on June 7, the Trade Union Federation was forced to organize protests for the same reason. At that time, we believed our reaction would serve as a serious alarm for the responsible institutions and that concrete measures would be taken to prevent this situation from recurring. Unfortunately, today we are facing the same violation, which demonstrates a lack of institutional responsibility and failure in managing one of the most basic obligations toward workers.

The Trade Union Federation considers it unacceptable for the public broadcaster of the Republic of Kosovo to operate under conditions in which workers are forced to wait for their salaries without any clear deadline, without transparency, and without any official communication from the governing bodies. This situation undermines not only the well-being of workers and their families, but also damages trust in public institutions and threatens the normal functioning of RTK.

According to the letter, RTK’s Board and Management have also failed to exercise their responsibilities with transparency, professionalism and accountability. The Federation considers the lack of public information, the silence in the face of this situation and the failure to provide a concrete solution unacceptable and contrary to the standards of good governance that should characterize a public institution.

For this reason, we call on you, within your constitutional and institutional powers, to take the necessary actions to ensure an urgent resolution to this situation and to guarantee that RTK workers immediately receive their salaries.

At the same time, we ask that institutional accountability be ensured for the causes that led to this situation, and that measures be taken so that such cases do not recur in the future. No one should remain without responsibility when the fundamental rights of workers are violated and the functioning of the public broadcaster is put at risk.

The Federation has warned that if a solution is not found immediately, it will continue without hesitation with an escalation of union actions and the initiation of legal procedures before the competent institutions. According to it, all legal and trade union means guaranteed by law will be used to protect workers’ rights, while any consequences that may affect RTK’s functioning will be the full responsibility of the Board and Management.

In the end, the Federation stresses that RTK workers will not accept salary delays becoming standard practice. According to the Federation, they will not pay the price of institutional incapacity, negligence or mismanagement, as their dignity is not negotiable and respect for their rights cannot depend on financial or administrative circumstances.

The Trade Union Federation adds that it remains committed to dialogue and institutional cooperation, but at the same time says it is determined to defend, by every legal means, the interests of the workers it represents. It expects an immediate response and action from the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo, in line with their responsibility to protect the constitutional order, legality and citizens’ rights.