Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue on Migrant Worker Rights in Albania

As part of the ongoing project “Empowering Migrant Workers through a 3-R Framework” supported by GIZ Albania and in collaboration with the State Labour Inspectorate and Social Services (ISHPSHSH), two significant round tables were successfully conducted. These round tables aimed to enhance the protection and rights of migrant workers in Albania by bringing together key stakeholders to discuss legislative, strategic, and operational aspects of migrant employment.

Round Table 1: Focusing on New Legislation and Migration Strategy

Participants: ASDO, GIZ Albania representatives, State Labour Inspectorate representatives, National Agency for Employment and Skills (AKPA/NAES) representatives 

Theme: The Foreigners Law and the New Migration Strategy, as well as the government’s new program for employing foreign workers.

The first round table focused on the new legislative framework and migration strategy. Discussions centered around the implications of the new Foreigners Law and the recently formulated migration strategy on the employment of foreign workers in Albania. Representatives from SLI and NAES shared insights and proposed strategies to ensure that the new laws effectively protect migrant workers’ rights while facilitating their employment.

Round Table 2: Enhancing Migrant Rights and Employment Information

Participants: Representatives from ISHPSHSH, Ministry of Economy, Culture and Innovation (MEKI), ASDO, and GIZ Albania 

The second round table, focused on a detailed examination of the strategic and legal frameworks impacting migrant employment. Key comments included:

• The importance of investing in human capital and ending exploitation.
• The continuous work towards the finalization of Government-to-Government (G2G) agreements to facilitate the employment of migrant workers.
• Addressing the concerns related to possible unfair treatment, working hours, health and security issues etc.
• The need for information packages for arriving migrant workers to aid their integration and protect their rights.
• A comprehensive roadmap for businesses employing migrant workers.
• The need for licensing and standardizing private employment agencies.

The successful conducting of these round tables marks a significant step towards working on the improvement of the conditions and rights of migrant workers in Albania. By fostering a collaborative dialogue among key stakeholders, the project aims to develop and implement effective strategies and policies that protect migrant workers and enhance their integration into the Albanian labor market. The insights and recommendations from these discussions will guide the project’s future activities and contribute to a more equitable and inclusive labor environment in Albania.