Members of the Confederal Committee of the National Trade Union Confederation of Moldova (CNSM) paid a working visit to Albania this week, where they met with representatives of the Union of Independent Trade Unions of Albania (BSPSH).

The parties agreed to develop cooperation relations to promote a high standard of living and a safe working environment for workers based on independent trade unionism, trade union rights and freedom of collective bargaining, to which end a cooperation agreement will be signed.

During the talks, Igor Zubcu, President of the CNSM, and Gezim Kalaja, President of the BSPSH, exchanged views on the socio-economic situation of workers and trade union members in both countries, cooperation between the social partners, the challenges facing the labour market, the activities carried out at the level of the confederations, priorities and objectives, including the role of trade union organisations in the context of the EU accession process.

The agreement signed by Igor Zubcu, President of the CNSM, and Gezim Kalaja, President of the BSPSH, also aims to intensify cooperation activities in the implementation of labour and health and safety legislation, collective agreements, the promotion of gender equality and diversity, and the promotion of long-term economic growth.

We would like to mention that Steven McCloud, Programme Director of the Solidarity Centre for Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia, took part in these discussions. The Solidarity Centre is one of the largest international workers’ rights organisations based in the United States.

The Union of Independent Trade Unions of Albania (BSPSH) was founded in 1991 and has 85,000 trade union members who are representatives of Albanian trade union centres. The BSPSH is a member of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC).