The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Kosovo, as immediate response to COVID-19 and in line with the mandate in eradicating poverty and reducing inequality, today has provided laptops, tablets and protective items to the Kosovo Employment Agency (EA) at the Ministry of Economy, Employment, Trade, Industry, Entrepreneurship and Strategic Investments (MEETIESI). The equipment will enable the Public Employment Service (PES) to continue working more effectively even now, during the current restrictions on movement.
Mrs. Rozeta Hajdari, Minister of Economy, Employment, Trade, Industry, Entrepreneurship and Strategic Investments, H.E. Christoph Weidinger Ambassador of Austria in Kosovo, Mrs. Maria Suokko Resident Representative of UNDP, Mr. Gunther Zimmer Advisor and Head of ADA in Kosovo, Mr. Drin Haraçia General Director of EA and other officials of MEETIESI, EA, UNDP and ADA were present at the handover that took place at the Kosovo Employment Agency.
This donation was provided as part of the regional project Promoting Inclusive Labour Market Solutions in the Western Balkans (ILMS II) funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA). The project aims to facilitate the work of the Public Employment Service (PES) during the implementation of the Government's Fiscal Emergency Package in response to COVID-19 and the provision of other integrated employment services for registered jobseekers.
The Employment Agency, in addition to providing regular services to jobseekers and businesses, is also responsible for registering unemployed persons applying to benefit from measure 15 of the Government's Fiscal Emergency Package, which sets payments of 130 Euros per month April, May and June for the citizens living in aggravated social conditions, declared as unemployed in the Employment Agency and who are not beneficiaries of monthly income from the public or private sector and the provision of other integrated employment services, including also active labour market measures for the citizens of Kosovo.
The role of the Employment Agency is very important, especially during pandemics, as it provides services to all jobseekers registered in Kosovo. There are currently 160.229 jobseekers registered with the Employment Management Information System (EMIS) of the Employment Agency, of which 62.360 of these registered jobseekers have been registered in the last two months, from March 13 to May 19. With the increasing number of beneficiaries of measure 15 for whom services should be provided, it is very important that these services are provided in a timely manner.
Information technology equipment will offer officials the opportunity for uninterrupted work even from a distance, will facilitate communication with customers, thus improving the quality and the deadlines of service delivery. These funds are being handed over to the Agency at a critical time as this agency, with the support of UNDP, is creating an online (internet) platform where jobseekers can receive digital services in the services provided in the Employment Offices, having direct access in open calls for application for active labour market measures. Furthermore, the project is supporting field activities within the PES services by making the television screens functional so that customers have access to information boards during their visits to the PES. Also, the EA's website is linked to the Employment Management Information System.
The role of the Employment Agency is essential during pandemic, but it will be even more important once the recovery phase begins when the need for employment and training services will be crucial as registered jobseekers, mainly young people and vulnerable groups will have access to the benefit of skills and in finding jobs.
During the acceptance of the donation, Minister Hajdari said: “I would like to take this opportunity to express my special thanks to the Austrian government and the UNDP for this donation as part of the project Promoting Inclusive Labour Market Solutions in the Western Balkans funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA). I am aware that this will facilitate the work of the Public Employment Service in the Employment Agency during the implementation of the Government's Fiscal Emergency Package in response to COVID-19 and the provision of other employment services for registered jobseekers”.
"While the pandemic is slowing down, what is becoming clearer every day is that we have a long battle to fight. The consequences are expected to be incomparable. We need to think about how to help in the long run." those who will pay the highest price, the ones that have lost their jobs, without income, without means to support the family. This is why UNDP is committed to support Kosovo institutions that even during pandemics to continue providing services as efficiently as possible. Especially those that were hit more, socially and economically by the effects of pandemic should receive the necessary support. We are grateful to the Austrian government and ADC for their financial support and partnership which enabled us to deliver these equipment’s today, as part of our regional cooperation in supporting comprehensive labour market solutions,” said Maria Suokko, UNDP Resident Representative.
H.E. Christoph Weidinger, the Austrian Ambassador to Kosovo, emphasized: "These donations confirm the commitment of the Austrian government to assist Kosovo in the fight against pandemics."
Donation for the EA includes: laptops, tablets, USB 16 GB and mobile phone credits for key staff, to facilitate communication with customers while providing services and implementing emergency government measures as well as protective masks, gloves, and hands disinfectants.
