support in setting up new employers' confederations

From 19 to 21 November 2008, J.M. Standaert, special advisor of DECP for the Balkan- and Caucasus countries, visited Tirana with the aim to meet and exchange views with representatives of several employers’ organizations about the setting-up of new employers’ confederations.

He met the president and vice-president of the important Albanian Construction Association (ACA), Mr. Luigj Aleksi and Avenir Kika. Since more than one year, Mr. Aleksi is chairing a workgroup who is preparing the statutes of a new confederation which will group more than 15 sector organizations. He promised to accelerate the activities of the workgroup so that the new confederation can be set-up early 2009. Mr. Kika is also vice-president of the National Labour Council and the leader of the employers’ representatives.

During his visit, Mr. Standaert met also representatives of several sector organizations of food and drink industries in Albania. As there is no umbrella organization for food and drink industries in Albania which could become the interlocutor towards international organizations, he urged those representatives to start negotiations for a new confederation of food and drink industries of Albania. He promised the support and expertise of DECP in their efforts. The new confederations should be ready before Spring 2009.