5 August 2020 – Meeting of the Executive Presidency of KSSH

The KSSH Executive Presidency meets specifically to discuss the Government’s recent Employment Program Decisions, staff that can be dealt with openly, and the effects of the #Covid19 pandemic. All participants reported on the difficult situation that Albanian employees are going through, as well as positively assessed the recent decisions of the government which significantly amortize the labor market dynamics tuned by the Covid-19 pandemic. The program is being drafted as part of packages supporting governance for economic and social recovery caused by pandemic. The purpose of the employment program is the rapid reintegration into the labor market of jobseekers who have become unemployed as a result of COVID 19, avoiding their support through passive aid schemes, such as the unemployment or economic assistance site.

In addition, through payroll funding and mandatory social contribution, this program also encourages if it works and supports the company in the recovery process.

The employment program provides for work in a period of 4, 8 or 12 months, in accordance with the profile and needs of jobseekers according to the vacancy.

The decision stipulates that the employer does the subsidy work depending on the period of staff work for:

4-month employment program:

Financing of the salary in the amount of 100% of the minimum wage at the national level, determinated according to the legislation in force, for 2 (two) months for all participants in the program, for compensation in the first month, and for the fourth of the contract;

Compulsory social and health contribution (part of the employer’s contribution), the calculated according to the minimum wage at the national level, provided during all working hours, compensated a monthly basis.

8-month employment program:

Salary financing in the amount of 100% of the national minimum wage, determined according to the legislation in force, for 4 (four) months for all program participants, compensated in the first, second, seventh and eighth month of contract;

Compulsory social and health contributions (part of the employer’s contribution), calculated on the basis of the national minimum wage, provided throughout the duration of employment, reimbursed on a monthly basis.

12-month employment program:

Subsidy of the costs of financing compulsory insurance (employer and employee contribution) in the amount of 100 %, calculated on the basis of the national minimum wage, determined according to the legislation in force, provided throughout the duration of the program, compensated on a monthly basis.

The National Employment and Skills Agency will be the institution responsible for registering interested employers and will follow the procedures for benefits from these employment programs. Employers can apply for inclusion in the program electronically, by uploading on the website: the completed application form, according to the standard model approved and published by the institution responsible for employment and skills;

the authorization of the employer, by which the institution responsible for employment and skills is authorized to perform all necessary verifications and searches of documents and data of the request; self-declaration for not being charged by the employer, for violations or sanctions related to labor legislation, during the last two years. The exact procedures for participating in this program will be made public by the National Employment and Skills Agency.

The Government Program 2017 – 2021 has focused on employment and quality development of the workforce, in accordance with the vision and directives of the European Union, the European Employment Strategy 2020, as well as the requirements for Albania’s European integration in the EU.