Minister of Labor and Social Welfare, Mr. Skender Rećica, through a press conference today launched public consultations on the Draft Law on Labor and the Draft Law on Maternity and Parenting leave, drafted by MLSW. On this occasion, Mr. Reçica has invited trade unions, businesses and their representatives, civil society, field experts, to contribute with comments and suggestions that would be included in the realization of the rights of our citizens, which are intended to be included in the draft laws the above mentioned.
Speaking of these two draft laws, Mr. Reçica said that they are one of the key reforms that the MLSW has undertaken, aimed at protecting and advancing labor rights in employer-employee contractual relations, meritorious treatment of mothers in Kosovo, and is in the function of developing and advancing the process towards the integration phase of Kosovo into the European Union.
They aim to regulate employment relationships, including employment contracts and contract forms, working hours, fines, maternity leave, minimum wages, medical leave, free leave and other elements that cover the scope of employment .
These two draft laws incorporating good directives and practices from the EU aim to improve elements that have been inappropriate in the current labor law.
Regarding maternity leave, Mr. Reçica said that the first three months of maternity leave will be paid by the employer with 70% of the basic salary, the next 6 months will be paid by the Kosovo Government with 50% of the master salary in Kosovo and the other 3 months will be free of charge.
In the Law on Maternity and Parenthood leave for the first time will be treated also unemployed shelters which will be compensated by a certain amount of minimum wage for the first 6 months of maternity leave. This draft law also provides free parental leave for four months for the mother and father, until the child reaches the age of two.
For all interested, public consultations open today will be public on the online platform of the MLSW site, www.mpms.rks-gov.net and which will last until 25th October of this year.