In Kosovo, many young people are not looking for dream jobs, but jobs with dignity. Some time ago, during my work with young people in the Mitrovica region, a simple conversation stuck in my mind. A young, highly motivated graduate told me that she had worked for months without a contract, without health insurance and for a minimum wage that barely covered basic expenses. She was not looking for favors or privileges – she was looking only for dignity at work and security for the future.

This is not an isolated case, but an everyday reality for many young people, women and people with disabilities in Kosovo.

Labor rights are fundamental human rights and constitute the basis of a just and functional society. However, for many citizens of the Mitrovica region and beyond, these rights remain more on paper than in practice. The laws exist, the institutions are established, but the gap between the legal norm and the reality on the ground continues to be deep. This op-ed aims to shed light on the real challenges that marginalized groups face in the labor market and to encourage reflection and concrete action by institutions, employers, and society as a whole.

Labor Market and Existing Inequalities

Kosovo continues to face high levels of unemployment, especially among young people, which is increasingly reflected in their migration. For many of them, entry into the labor market is accompanied by precarious forms of employment: work without a contract, long hours, and blatant violations of fundamental rights. Instead of work being a source of stability and personal development, it often becomes a source of insecurity and stress.

The situation becomes even more complicated for women and people with disabilities, who face multiple discrimination. Women face structural barriers from recruitment to career advancement, facing lower wages, job insecurity and social pressures that limit their full participation in the labor market. Meanwhile, people with disabilities continue to be excluded due to lack of physical access, lack of workplace accommodations and prejudices that see them as a burden rather than a potential.

These inequalities not only harm the individuals affected, but also impoverish society as a whole, wasting energy, creativity and human capital that could contribute to the economic and social development of the country.

Experience from the field

During my professional engagement, I have had the opportunity to meet many young people who are at a crossroads between hope and disappointment. Many of them are willing to contribute, learn and work with dedication, but they face a system that does not support and protect them sufficiently.

A significant case is that of a young girl who works in the private sector without an employment contract. The fear of losing her job forces her to remain silent even when her rights are openly violated. Even today, she continues to work without a signed contract; although her taxes are paid, she is not informed about the rights she is entitled to by law and has no security for her professional future. Even for the annual leave guaranteed by law, she has to wait for weeks to receive it, being forced to give justifications for why she needs the leave.

I have also known people with disabilities who, despite their qualifications and willingness to work, have never been invited to a job interview. This silent exclusion keeps them out of the labor market and denies them the right to economic independence and personal dignity.

These stories are not exceptions, but evidence of a system that still does not treat labor rights as a real priority and that fails to create effective mechanisms for the protection of the most vulnerable groups.

 Labor Law and the Gap with Reality

Labor rights violations do not occur by chance. They are the result of a combination of factors, including weak implementation of legislation, lack of effective inspections, low level of information to workers and lack of cooperation between institutions.

The Labor Law in Kosovo clearly defines the rights and obligations of employers and employees, including the right to a work contract, safe conditions, regular working hours, holidays and social protection. However, for many citizens, these legal provisions remain inaccessible in practice. Labor inspections are often insufficient or formal, failing to truly protect the most vulnerable workers. When the law is not consistently implemented, it loses its protective power and becomes a formal document with no real impact.

Public institutions have a legal responsibility to ensure the implementation of the Labor Law, but without public pressure and the active involvement of civil society, these mechanisms remain weak. On the other hand, the private sector often focuses on short-term profit, neglecting minimum employment standards and the social responsibility that should accompany any economic activity.

Civil society plays a key role in raising the voice of those who are not heard and in promoting intersectoral dialogue. Non-governmental organizations contribute to public awareness and empowering citizens to demand their rights, but this commitment must also be strongly supported by institutions and businesses.

Practical path to improvement

Improving the situation of labor rights requires concrete, coordinated and long-term actions. First, it is necessary to strengthen labor supervision and inspection mechanisms, so that the Labor Law does not remain just a formal document. Workers need to be better informed about their rights and feel safe to report violations without fear of retaliation. This information should start in high school.

Secondly, employment policies need to be more inclusive, creating concrete incentives for the employment of women and people with disabilities. Training and employment programs for young people should be directly linked to the real needs of the labor market and be accompanied by dignified working conditions.

However, alongside the difficult cases that continue to dominate the employment reality, there are also positive examples that prove that change is possible. A significant case is that of a woman with disabilities, who initially engaged in a short internship and then was hired on a regular contract. Today, she is active in her workplace and satisfied with the contribution she makes. This example shows that when there is will and responsibility, inclusive employment is successful for all parties.

Finally, cooperation between public institutions, the private sector and civil society is essential for building a culture of respect for labor rights. Only through this cooperation can stigma be reduced, trust be increased and real opportunities for social and economic inclusion be created.

Call to action

Labor rights should not be a luxury or privilege for some, but a standard for all. Young people, women and persons with disabilities deserve equal opportunities and dignified working conditions, as provided for in the Labor Law in Kosovo.

It is time for institutions to act with greater determination, for employers to take social responsibility and for citizens not to remain silent in the face of injustice. Because labor rights are not privileges – they are the foundation of a just society.

“This article addresses precarious employment in Kosovo as a profound human rights issue, looking beyond the economic dimension. Through concrete experiences from the field in the Mitrovica region, the article highlights violations of fundamental labor rights, the lack of contracts, social insecurity and discrimination that particularly affect young people, women and people with disabilities.”

 

This op-ed was produced within the project #HumanRightivism, implemented by the Community Development Fund (CDF) with the support of the Swedish Embassy in Pristina.

The views and interpretations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the policies or the official position of SIDA or the Government of Sweden.