Access for domestic workers to labour and social protection: the case of Kosovo
Haxhikadrija, Amir ; Mustafa, Artan
SEER. Journal for Labour and Social Affairs in Eastern Europe
2024
27
2
181-206
domestic worker ; precarious employment ; social protection ; workers rights ; social policy ; moonlighting ; collective agreement
Human rights
https://doi.org/10.5771/1435-2869-2024-2-181
English
Bibliogr.
"Survey data suggests that there are around 2000 domestic workers in Kosovo (i.e. around 0.5% of all workers). Women are present in greater numbers, while most domestic workers are aged between 35 and 49. However, Kosovo currently lacks a specific legal framework and clear legal definition of domestic workers. The general collective agreement was the only formal document that explicitly acknowledged domestic work, but this expired in 2017 and no new agreement has been agreed. The legal framework that pertains to formal employees there fore only extends to domestic workers under contract, leaving the majority of workers in this sector without adequate labour and social protection. Since most domestic work is, in reality, undeclared, this situation makes workers highly vulnerable. Current policy discussions are focused on formally defining domestic workers within the proposed new law on labour and on improving employment registration procedures to benefit all stakeholders, although these are still in their early stages. The article concludes with a series of suggestions for improving such workers' social protection and labour rights."
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