Youth Rights at Work information campaign in Albania

Youth Rights at Work information campaign in Albania

Living in a difficult economic situation in a region suffering from high unemployment, young Albanian women and men are often willing to accept any kind of job and face difficulties to speak about their rights at work.

To help young Albanian people to better protect their rights at work, the Albanian Youth Council launched an information campaign in the framework of the UN Joint Programme on Youth Employment and Migration on the 1st of May 2012 in Tirana, Albania.

350 young people took part in the launch event, where an Albanian guideline and information package in addition to role plays on workplace rights were presented.

During the campaign, at least 2,000 young people participated in information days where they have learnt about their rights at work and how trade unions and other public institutions can protect them in case of problems.

Eight training of trainers were organized in Tirana, Kukes and Shkodra for 212 teachers, social workers, trade union members, young leaders and activists on this subject. The training included interactive discussions on decent work and highlighted the importance of non formal education. The tranining of trainers have not only helped participants to build their capacities, but also emphasized the importance of decent job and awarness raising campaigns.

At least another 1,000 young Albanians followed radio and TV programmes on youth rights at work, or the information campaign on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/punesimirinor/).

A National Conference on Youth Rights at Work was organized on 12 August in Tirana to celebrate the International Youth Day with the participation of 10 youth NGOs and 25 other stakeholders.

The Albanian information package was distributed throughout the campaign in paper as well as through social networks and it is still available on the internet (http://www.punesimi.info/).

The role plays presenting the following problems are also available on Youtube:

1. Gender discrimination: a woman is paid less than a man for the same job

2. Ethnic discrimination

3. Informal employment: lack of employment contract and social security coverage

4. Signing a contract without reading it

5. Abuse with probation period

A call center was set up and it is still functioning to support young Albanian workers.

This campaign will continue throughout the year on TV channels, social media and through non-formal meetings.