The Deputy Minister of Finance hosted a delegation of exporters, the employment of persons with disabilities is a legal obligation

The Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy, Olta Manjani, today hosted a representative meeting of the "Pro-Export Albania" association regarding the integration of persons with disabilities, based on several requests they have submitted for the review of the implementation and the establishment of a technical group of common.

Albania implements international conventions and European directives, so the protection of the rights of these people for improving access to services and employment remains a priority, as well as one of the conditions for EU integration.

During the meeting, Manjani appreciated the commitment of the enterprise to ensure equal treatment and adaptation of jobs for this category.

"There are various international practices that have proven effective for the employment of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and they have brought sustainability. In our country, the obligation of employment by private or public entities has arisen since the 1995 law 'On promoting employment', where the criterion of 1 in 25 employees was defined. Today, through legal changes, which become effective on January 1, 2024, the criterion is 1 in the first 25 employees and 1 PWD after every 50 employees. In total, there are 9,000 people with disabilities who are expected to be employed, both in the state and private sectors," said Manjani.

In support of this decision, as an initiative taken by MFE is the creation of the Social Employment Fund that provides benefits and subsidies for employers and the contribution given will be returned to them through programs, so that they can meet these quotas.

The programs aim at employment, self-employment, rehabilitation for work, professional training and retraining, orientation and counseling for employment, support services, reconstruction and adaptation of the workplace of persons with disabilities, social reintegration programs, etc.

The representatives of the "Pro-Export Albania" association appreciated the measures taken so far by the Albanian government, to reduce the effects of exchange rate fluctuations, such as the postponement of the payment of tax installments on profit for the remainder of 2023, faster VAT refund or minimum wage subsidy.

At the end of the meeting, the parties agreed to intensify cooperation, to address needs through technical tables, and to implement the mechanisms of the Social Employment Fund.