As in the working program of project implementation, we organised the Round Table on child labour prevention and elimination, in Tirana, on 27 and 28 February 2009.
34 teachers, trade union local leaders, principles of schools, took part during the first day, when we discussed the engagement, results, problems and duties for the future among education trade unions representatives.
32 representatives from education trade unions, ILO-IPEC, other branch trade unions affiliated to both confederations, KSSH and BSPSH, as well as from Child Labour Elimination Unit, acting in the framework of the Ministry of Labour, and State Labour Inspectorate, took part during the second day, when we discussed about the need of joint actions to prevent and eliminate child labour in Albania.
The Chairman of FSASH, Xhafer Dobrushi, the Vice Chairman of SPASH, Defrim Spahiu and the representative from AOb, Marten Kircz, took also part during both days and gave a direct contribution to the proceedings of RT.
Papers with data on teachers engagement, results, problems and proposals for the future, were prepared and put in the files for each participant.
The opening speech by Dobrushi, was followed by discussions of representatives from Korca, Tirana, Fieri, Durresi and Elbasani. Local trade union leaders and teachers who work individually with pupils in the respective schools spoke about their experiences and problems they face.
Some data about teachers engagement and results achieved mentioned in the RT were:
More than 1 600 teachers, out of whom 570 in pilot schools, are engaged in national level in child labour prevention and elimination. Some 120 of them are part of working groups in 21 pilot schools in these districts.
More than 2 400 pupils, out of whom 1 255 in pilot schools, have been subject of their individual work. As a result, some 460 pupils, only from pilot schools in Tirana, Fieri, Korca, Durresi and Elbasani, are turned back in school, meanwhile some 1 800 pupils, out of whom 568 from pilot schools, are now out of risk to drop out from school.
In their discussions, teachers also spoke about difficulties they face and the need of better engagement of school administrations and local government authorities, especially regarding quality education in school and economical needs of some families.
In his interventions, the AOb representative, Marten Kircz, insisted on the role of teachers already engaged in this work, to involve more and more other teachers and other stakeholders in child labour prevention and elimination, aiming also to have a direct impact in the community for their engagement against child labour.

On behalf of both trade unions, the coordinator of the project, Stavri Liko, presented a draft proposal for their work for the future.
In second day, The National Manager of ILO-IPEC in Tirana, Mrs. Etleva Vertopi, made a presentation on international standards on child labour, collaboration of various stakeholders and the need of joint actions to prevent and eliminate child labour in Albania. The representative of State Labour Inspectorate, Mrs. Evis Qaja and the head of Child Labour Elimination Unit in the Ministry of Labour, Mrs. Shkelqesa Manaj, spoke about their engagement and problems, especially related to the collaboration with trade unions.
Some branch trade union leaders asked for more information and more concrete actions from State Labour Inspectorate, which was well understood by Mrs. Qaja, who, just yesterday, informed us that after consultations with the Director, they propose to organise a special meeting with trade union representatives to discuss the problems and coordinate the actions, according to the proposals of trade union representatives.
The Joint Agreement signed among the trade unions and other stakeholders participating in the RT, almost a year ago, in April 2008, was also subject of discussions in the RT, pointing out that more joint actions should be undertaken, according to the items of this Agreement.
In his interventions, Marten pointed out the importance of the engagement of other branch trade unions in child labour prevention and elimination, as well as the need of joint actions with other stakeholders and media involving in this work.
Useful discussions were also made with Marten, during his stay in Tirana, regarding next activities and especially the Conference which will be organised in May, including its format, topics, proposals and so on.

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