Strengthening the labor market through policies that promote sector-based employment and workforce training was at the center of the meeting between AmCham’s Labor and Ethics Committee and the Deputy Minister of Economy and Innovation, Ms. Olta Manjani. The meeting aimed to establish shared priorities on key issues such as social dialogue, workforce development, vocational education and training, the EU integration process, and legislative reforms, areas in which the American Chamber has strong potential to contribute expertise and concrete solutions.
AmCham leadership, including Board Secretary Dritan Nako and Executive Director Neritan Mullaj, steered the discussion toward one of the Chamber’s major priorities, reflecting member concerns over labor shortages. This issue has ranked first in AmCham’s Business Index for the past three years, making it a critical challenge for the country’s business climate. The discussion facilitated an exchange of information on how the Ministry of Economy is addressing this issue through employment policies and labor agreements.
The development of vocational education and the engagement of businesses in the governing boards of schools and in curriculum development was highlighted as one of the areas where the Chamber can contribute to shaping long-term workforce development and the diversification of skills across sectors.
European integration and the alignment of the legal framework with EU standards also target labor mobility and social policies, requiring the engagement of all stakeholder groups. Through its Labor Committee, chaired by Valbona Dode, AmCham expressed its readiness to participate in these consultation platforms, bringing added value through practical insights and the expertise of its members.
The Labor Code is another key component of the legislative framework supporting employment and the workforce, with expected amendments aimed at ensuring coherence with recent developments. The American Chamber will play its role by providing comments and recommendations at the early stages of drafting these changes.