(In)Safety in the workplace, associations against the new penal code: Harsher penalties are needed

Last year, 33 Albanians lost their lives in the workplace. Although most of them were due to lack of safety and working conditions, in the end... the blame remained with the victims. The new Penal Code provides for fines of up to 1 year in prison for employers who do not provide the necessary technical safety conditions at work.

"Absurdly, violating the rules of technical safety at work, when it has brought serious consequences for the life and health of employees, is considered only a criminal offense and is punishable by a fine or up to 1 year in prison. This easing of sanctions, at a time when the code in every other aspect has become more repressive, is absurd, unjust and unfounded in the abusive reality that employees experience every day in our country," said Gertjana Hasalla, from the Center for Rights at Work, writes A2 CNN.

In response to these concerns, the Center for Labor Rights has established a working group that is reviewing the draft code and preparing proposals for amendments, with the aim of increasing legal accountability and ensuring harsher penalties for those who cause hazards in the workplace.

"At this stage, citizens and organizations are committed to ensuring that the voice of employees is heard, demanding that the law be not just a formal document, but a powerful tool to protect the life and dignity of every worker in Albania," Hasalla continued.

"What else should the New Criminal Code have taken into account to ensure proper working conditions for Albanians?"

"A penal code that will respect the lives of employees must become a serious enforcement tool and not a dry list of light penalties that do not intimidate those who do not respect the law," Hasalla continued, writes A2 CNN.

The New Penal Code has the potential to establish clear standards and strict measures to ensure safe working conditions and increase employer accountability. If this challenge is addressed with determination and effective implementation, it could mark an important step towards improving the working environment and reducing fatal accidents in Albania. (A2 Televizion)