Tirana (Albania), 24-25.02.2025

On 24.02.2025 in the afternoon and on 25.02.2025 EUROFEDOP paid a study visit to KSSH (Federation of Transport and Telecommunications) in Tirana (Albania).
The reason for this study visit was the application of KSSH for membership of EUROFEDOP, during the Congress of the Transport and Telecommunication Federation that was held in 26th October 2024.

The Executive Committee discussed this application during its session of 17.12.2024 in Vienna (Austria) and asked Bert van Caelenberg, Secretary General EUROFEDOP, to submit a motivated file.
With this purpose, Bert Van Caelenberg and Boro Veligdenov (Board member of EUROFEDOP (SPTOM, North Macedonia)) paid a study visit to KSSH on 24-25.02.2025.
Monday, 24.02.2025
Introductory meetings took place in the offices of the KSSH. Secretary General Tonin Gjinaj introduced his organisation and the delegation of the 9 sectors of the Transport Federation.

For EUROFEDOP, the discussions focused on the Post and Telecom sectors and their evolution over the last 20 years.
Bert Van Caelenberg also outlined the future for the sector based on the decisions of PostEurop (employer), annual meeting 2024 in Belgrade (Serbia).
In 2025, Albania will be the host country for all European Post companies. He indicated that this is a unique moment, also for the Albanian Post and its employees, the trade unions.
On 24.02.205, the discussions were continued in the evening, during which the current and future situation of the transport sector was also discussed. The use of drones and robots for parcel deliveries will disrupt the currently flourishing market. If we want to continue working together, the colleagues in Albania will have to focus on three points when taking action:

1) The basis of the union is the members. A sufficient number of members is a must for participation.
2) The management must become a real discussion partner. The social dialogue must be structured.
3) The political parties must be informed with the right and convincing elements. For example: it is not advisable to put everything on new cars for deliveries if in a few years the parcels will be delivered by drones.
It was agreed to conclude this quick visit on 25.02.2025 with a meeting with the CEO and the Post management, and with the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, responsible for Post.
Tuesday, 25.02.2025
At 09:30 the delegation was received at the offices of the Albanian Post.

A warm welcome for the national and European guests by the CEO, Ardit Demiri, together with his director of cabinet, Dritan Caka.
Tonin Gjinaj, Secretary General KSSH, spoke for the national trade union. He outlined the low wages and the difficult working conditions in the Post sector.
Bert Van Caelenberg was grateful for the meeting and pointed out that rapprochement with Europe will also involve the discussion on "The acquis communautaire".
This also includes the chapter on social dialogue. The question is whether, in addition to the contracts, a structured social dialogue can also arise?

Ardit Demiri referred to the collective labour agreement that last year gave a wage adjustment of +- 15% (this was also an adjustment to the national legislation in connection with the minimum wage). The prospects are there to implement a wage adjustment of +- 5% this year, and this with retroactive effect to 01.01.2025.
Finally, Bert Van Caelenberg referred to the important meeting of PostEurop from 08-09.10.2025 in Tirana (Albania). The results of such meetings are important for the Post company, but also for the employees.
Bert Van Caelenberg thanked for the meeting and will represent the Post unions of EUROFEDOP on the occasion of the PostEurop business forum and inform them about this.

At 10:30 the delegation was received at the Office of Enkelejda Muçaj, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Energy. They are responsible for the Transport and Postal sector.

Antoneta Aliko and Tonin Gjinaj, respectivelyTresorer and Secretary General of KSSH, who recently had a conversation with the responsible minister, were warmly welcomed by Enkelejda Muçaj. She pointed out that the government took initiatives when they heard about the wages and working conditions. They also pointed out to the management of the Post their important task. The Post is a liberalized company.
When Bert Van Caelenberg asked whether they were committed to organizing the Post company themselves. Enkelejda Muçaj was very clear in her response: “The Post provides a service to the citizen, and they are very concerned about the 2.,500 employees”.
Bert Van Caelenberg asked for unceasing pressure to obtain a good, regular social dialogue.

The Post sector is and remains important to the Ministry, and it insists on maintaining the best relationship with the union.

A special thanks to the KSSH team who were able to realize this successful program in a short time. Also a word of thanks for the success of the study visit to Boro Veligdenov and his vice-chairman, as well as to the interpreter for the solid Albanian-English translations.
Discussion of this study visit will take place at the next Daily Management Board of 20.03.2025.

26.02.2025 - Report by Bert Van Caelenberg, Secretary General EUROFEDOP