Workshop on the engagement of Albanian trade unions against child labour

Following the activities in the framework of the FNV Project implementation, as planned, both Albanian education  trade unions FSASH /SPASH, organised on the 5th of October,  the workshop with other branch trade union leaders, regarding their engagement on ChL prevention and elimination.
The main leaders of Textile, Garment and Leather, Light industry, Construction, Agriculture, Commerce, Health care, from both confederations, KSSH and BSPSH, took part in the workshop. Both presidents of KSSH and BSPSH were also invited, but only KSSH sent a representative from the organising department. Being invited, aiming better collaboration in the district level, leaders of both KSSH and BSPSH from Tirana, Fieri and Elbasani districts took also part in the workshop.

In the presence of both education trade unions chairmen, Dobrushi and Kruja and some other local leaders of FSASH and SPASH, the discussion was based on some background papers, put in a special file, including: a short paper on Why ChL is a trade union issue, another one on the Areas of trade union interventions, Conclusions from the Conference organised in October 2004, suggestions from the Conference organised in October 2006, Resolution of the 3rd Congress of KSSH on ChL prevention and elimination and so on.
After a short presentation on the situation of ChL and the need of trade union engagement, from  Mrs. Shkelqesa Manaj, Head of the ChL Elimination Unit, acting in the framework of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, Mr. Dobrushi made the intervention about the situation and the improvements needed regarding the coordination between education trade unions and other branch trade unions.

Taking the floor in this workshop, the leaders of trade unions, Minella Mano, Hajdar Kanani, Petrit dajka, Alfred Xhomo, Tafil Gjolena, Luan Zonja and so on, reported on the work done and the problems facing, also proposing some activities in the framwwork of an acting program for the future.

Both chairmen of FSASH and SPASH, Xhafer Dobrushi and Bajram Kruja, drew some conclusions and presented the main tasks of their respective trade unions, in the framework of FNV Project implementation.

Some conclusions drawn after the discussions in this workshop are:
        - All the participants appreciated what the education trade unions are doing and once more expressed their intention to be engaged in ChL prevention and elimination, considering it as their mission and obligation. It was a proposal to see the possibility of signing a kind of gentlemen agreement among all the trade union leaders who have already accepted to be engaged in this issue,
        - It was also a proposal to see the possibility of setting up a kind of coordination group, with participation of representatives from some trade unions, active in the issue,
        - Some of them, especially those from light industry, textile, garment and shoes industry reported some engagement, especially through the coordination with labour Inspectorate, acting in the framework of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, mentioning also the support from FNV through the journalist (Samuel Grumiau who stayed some 12 days in Albania visiting many factories),
        - Many of them asked for a more active role of the trade unions for a better coordination with Labour Inspectorate, duties and taxis bodies, local government, employers organisations and so on, proposing also to see the possibility of having any kind of signed agreement with them,
        - All participants agreed to nominate a representative who will be responsible for child labour activities in each trade union, proposing also to see the possibility of a special training for them, may be through ILO-IPEC support,
        - Role of media was mentioned as very important and the participants agreed to improve the contacts with written and electronic media, regarding child labour prevention and elimination.

Of course, all of these proposals will be elaborated in cooperation with the most active trade union leaders and further actions will be undertaken in the near future, aiming also to have some concrete results until March 2008, when it is planned an important Round Table with participation of the representatives from other branch trade unions, as well as from other stakeholders dealing with the problem.