English translation below
KSSH within the framework of April 28 – World Day of Safety and Health at Work.
April 28, recognized internationally as World Workplace Safety and Health Day, represents a moment of reflection, awareness and engagement for all working actors.
Established by the International Labor Organization (ILO), this day aims to promote the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases, putting the lives and dignity of employers at the center.
At the same time, for the global trade union movement, April 28 is a day of remembrance and honor for all those workers who have lost their lives or been injured in the workplace. It is a call for justice, responsibility and continuous improvement of working conditions.
In the Albanian context, this day takes on special importance, especially in the framework of the country’s integration processes towards the European Union. European standards in the field of occupational safety and health are not just a formal obligation, but a necessity for sustainable economic and social development.
Occupational safety and health constitute a system of preventive measures that aim to preserve the lives, physical integrity and mental well-being of employers.
The objectives of this system are clear: promoting the overall well-being of employees, preventing occupational diseases, protecting against risks, and adapting work to the skills of the individual.
However, the reality in our country shows that there is still much to be done.
KSSH has played an active and positive role in promoting preventive policies, developing strategies and raising awareness, their implementation in the field remains problematic.
In particular, the Labor Inspectorate continues to face serious challenges in the performance of its functions. The lack of effective controls, limited capacities and, in some cases, tolerance to violations, have led safety standards in many sectors to fall far from European requirements.
This situation endangers not only the lives of the employers, but also the credibility of the institutions and the European integration process of the country.
International statistics are alarming: every year in the European Union, over 5,500 people die in accidents at work, while another 159,000 die as a result of occupational diseases. These numbers clearly show that workplace safety is not a suburban issue, but a top priority.
The basic principle of the European approach is clear: “Prevention is better than cure”. This means continuous risk analysis, investing in safe technology, improving working conditions and educating employers.
A safe working environment is not created by chance – it requires political will, institutional responsibility and close cooperation between state, employers and unions.
In this direction, the work of KSSH should be valued as a positive example of institutional dedication. Through its initiatives, KSSH has contributed to bringing Albanian legislation closer to European one and to promoting a preventive culture in the workplace.
However, this work must be supported and complemented by concrete and effective actions by implementing structures, in particular by the Labour Inspectorate.
April 28 should not remain just a symbolic day. He should serve as a point for concrete reflection and action. Every accident prevented is a life saved. Every implemented security measure is a step towards a more just and humane society.
Finally, the message is clear: a country that aims European integration must guarantee European standards even in the workplace. Because true development is not measured only by economic growth, but by the protection of the life and dignity of every employer.