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Geographic Area: Western Balkan

  • The rights of LGBTIQ+ workers: A two-day training with representatives of trade unions from the Western Balkans takes place in Tirana

    The rights of LGBTIQ+ workers: A two-day training with representatives of trade unions from the Western Balkans takes place in Tirana

    On February 8-9, 2023, a two-day training focused on the rights of LGBTIQ+ workers took place in Tirana. The Solidarity Centre and ERA brought together representatives of the LGBTIQ+ community and other civil society organizations in Albania and trade union representatives from Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Serbia. The Union of Independent Trade Unions of Albania (BSPSH), Confederation of Trade Unions of Albania (KSSH), Independent Education Union of Albania (SPASH), and Trade Union Federation of Education and Science of Albania (FSASH), participated from Albania. The president of the Union of Independent Trade Unions of Kosovo (BSPK) was part of the event. From North Macedonia, we had representatives from the Union of Workers in Education, Science, and Culture (SONK), and the Union of Independent and Autonomous Trade Unions of Macedonia (UNASM). The country program director for Solidarity Center in Belgrade, Serbia attended the event along with a representative of the trade union Nezavisnost. Among LGBTIQ+ organisations present at the event were also Alliance against LGBT Discrimination, Open Mind Spectrum Albania (OMSA), LGBT Shelter “Streha”, Ylberofilia and Pro LGBT. Other society actors, such as activists, lawyers, journalists, educators, and representatives from the Office of the Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination, were present at this training. The training consisted of identifying the problems that LGBTIQ+ workers face in their workplaces (discrimination, fear, abuse), familiarizing them with the functions and activities of unions, and identifying methods for protecting and advancing the rights of LGBTIQ+ workers. The efficiency of the meeting lay in the fact that two interest groups came together to discuss the problems they encounter every day, to get to know each other, to get more information, and to understand how they can solve the issues in the future, which are particularly problematic for LGBTIQ+ employees.

    The workshop/training was a follow-up to the regional conference “On Discrimination at Work” held by Solidarity Center in March 2022 in Skopje, North Macedonia. ERA and the trade unions suggested conducting a joint workshop/training beneficial for both parties. The LGBTIQ+ community would learn more about the role and importance of trade unions, the benefits of collective bargaining, and how the trade union can protect them in cases of harassment or violence at the workplace. On the other hand, trade unions would better understand the challenges the LGBTIQ+ community face in general, but mainly when jobhunting or injustices in the workplace only because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The first joint event based on this suggestion took place on February 8th–9th, 2023, and proved to be very beneficial and enlightening for both parties. This is the first of several follow-up workshops/training where the LGBTIQ+ community and trade union came together. 

    The first day

    After the presentation of the participants, Mr. Arbër Kodra, the Executive Director of Open Mind Spectrum Albania (OMSA), offered a general presentation about the LGBTIQ+ community in Albania. Being one of the first meetings of this kind for trade unions, it was necessary first to share some basic information so that everyone would be informed about the LGBTIQ+ community, the organizations that work for it, the terminologies, the prejudices, the legal context and the issues that this community faces. 

    After the general presentation of the community, it was the turn of the trade unions to talk about their work, importance, formation, membership, and many other elements. Mr. Atdhe Hykolli, President of the Union of Independent Trade Unions of Kosovo (BSPK), made a presentation about union organizing, starting with the definition of the word “union” to then move on to a brief history of the birth of unions, and especially how their situation is in Kosovo. The establishment of independent trade unions in Kosovo was also critical, as well as the definition of legal forms unions can use in extreme cases: strikes and protests. But before reaching these implementations, the trade unions first used social dialogue or mediation between the parties, i.e., employers and employees. The situation was similar in Albania, North Macedonia, and Serbia, and the same problems also arose there.

    Xheni Karaj, Executive Director of the Alliance against LGBT Discrimination, in her presentation, emphasized the urgent need for community members to feel represented and protected in terms of employment. She presented some of the surveys done with the LGBTIQ+ community regarding employment, discrimination at work, hate speech, workplace harassment, etc. From the information provided, a significant part of members of the LGBTIQ+ community in Albania does not come out openly in the workplace for fear of discrimination, prejudice, dismissal, or unpleasant situations. The process of “coming out” is individual and complex. It is essential because it can undo the myths and stereotypes created by society for LGBTIQ+ people. However, at the same time, there are other less positive aspects, such as targeting due to coming out openly, discrimination, harassment, abandonment by family and friends, etc. In her speech, Xheni Karaj emphasized the need for building communication bridges between the parties for a gentle approach with LGBTIQ+ people who choose to be part of their coming out.

    Amarildo Fecanji, Program Manager at ERA, presented some of the data of the regional survey conducted by ERA and the World Bank in 2018 with over 3000 representatives from all over the Western Balkans, where it was observed that: over 2/3 of LGBTIQ+ people kept hidden the fact that they belong to the community at the workplace for reasons of fear of discrimination, violence, job loss or exploitation due to tolerance by the employer. Some of the other problems were: the unemployment of LGBTIQ+ people (not infrequently because of the person’s sexual orientation) as well as the lack of inclusive contracts and policies for the LGBTIQ+ community. Transgender people are among the most discriminated against at work and not only. The probability that they will not be hired, harassed in the workplace, not promoted, discriminated against, or fired is relatively high. The problematic employment situation of transgender people has made a good part of transgender people see sex work as the only solution.

    The presentation of the Director of the Shelter “Streha,” Mrs. Adelajda Alikaj, was the last for the first day. Mrs. Alikaj underlined the experiences of the community in Albania, such as family conflicts, expulsion from home, stigma, discrimination, isolation, abuse, threats, difficulties in receiving services, etc. From a 2017 statistic, the Head Hunter company published the results of a study on the situation of the LGBTIQ+ community in employment, where it said that state institutions are also part of the discrimination. Only 7 out of 109 companies included in the study were open to hiring a person from the LGBTIQ+ community.

    From her experience with community members who frequent the center, Ms. Alikaj says that the most common ways for an LGBTIQ+ person not to be employed are

    • short interviews,
    • short duration,
    • closed questions that do not leave room for expression,
    • or lack of a second interview

    The list is long regarding what happens in a workplace for an LGBTIQ+ person. It starts with insults, abuse of schedules, unpleasant jokes, exclusion from joint activities, intimidation, pressure from the employer/colleagues, etc.

    The second day

    The second training day began with a summary of the first day. Then it continued with the presentation of Mrs. Anxhella Llalla, a lawyer with long professional trade union experience in Albania. Ms. Llalla made a detailed presentation on trade union organizing, its role in protecting workers’ rights, the importance of reforming and improving the structures and functions of trade unions, as well as other suggestions and ideas for improving their performance. Her presentation stimulated a very constructive discussion among the union representatives themselves but also with LGBTIQ+ organizations. In the debate, it was noted that unions have structures that can address issues such as gender equality or young workers but lack structures that could be more inclusive and more efficiently protect or represent marginalized groups of workers, such as LGBTIQ+ employees but also those of other groups such as Roma and Egyptians, people with disabilities, etc. Among other things, the decline in union memberships was pointed out. One of the suggestions was to increase unions’ engagement with marginalized groups to increase and improve their membership. In the discussion, the great difficulties faced by the trade unions were also pointed out, such as the large number of collective contracts that must be negotiated with employers despite limited human and financial resources.

    The last section of the training discussed further steps that LGBTIQ+ organizations and trade unions can take to protect the rights of LGBTIQ+ workers and forms of cooperation that can be applied in the future.

    Union representatives themselves identified several activities that they can carry out in defense of the rights of LGBTIQ+ workers, such as:

    – Informative and educational sections related to the rights of LGBTIQ+ workers;

    – Informative campaigns with the membership of the union;

    – Informative and advisory meetings between teachers and parents, coordinated by the union;

    – The possibility of using the SKOT application as an option for LGBTIQ+ members of trade unions in Albania to report cases of discrimination or mistreatment;

    – Inclusion of the LGBTIQ+ theme in major activities developed by trade unions;

    – Including the LGBTIQ+ issue and perspectives in research and surveys conducted within the union;

    – Inclusion of the LGBTIQ+ theme in job fairs;

    At the end of the fruitful meeting between the two groups (LGBTIQ+ organizations and unions of Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Serbia), some of the main conclusions were:

    – LGBTI+ persons should receive more detailed information on the Labor Code; to know their rights and obligations; to know and learn about the existence of trade unions and see the possibility of joining them;

    – Unions should be more present through meetings and information sessions where the part of individual and collective contracts, membership quotas, protection of employees, follow-up of issues, etc., are clearly explained.

    – Continuous cooperation between LGBTIQ+ organizations and trade unions is necessary to share more information and to create a network that helps and is in the interest of both parties.

    In the activity evaluation, the participants were inspired, motivated, and well-informed about the needs and problems of the other sector. They appreciated getting to know each other, group discussions, information shared, personal stories of LGBTIQ+ people, and synergies created between LGBTIQ+ organizations and trade unions. Representatives from the trade unions appreciated the knowledge they gained on the topic, provided ideas on where they think it’s possible to act, and stressed the need to improve and create a more inclusive, welcoming, and safe environment for the community.

    We invite you to read this trade union guide if you are a trade union representative in Albania or the Western Balkans.

    For any other questions or comments, do not hesitate to contact the Solidarity Centre offices in Albania and Serbia, the regional organization ERA, or the LGBTIQ+ organizations in the respective countries.

    Writer: Xheni Shehaj, Historia-Ime & PRO LGBT

    Editing: Amarildo Fecanji, ERA

    Photos: Solidarity Center and ERA ©

  • Guide for trade unions on engaging with LGBTI+ workers in the Western Balkans

    Guide for trade unions on engaging with LGBTI+ workers in the Western Balkans

    Since 2018 ERA has been dedicated to understanding and mitigating challenges that LGBTI+ people face in accessing their socio-economic rights. Studies show that workers’ rights in the Western Balkans region are far from protected. They are the first in line when austerity measures, pandemics and exploitative employers hit. When the element of discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity or sex characteristics is added, the challenges increase. Thus, to protect worker’s rights effectively, there is a need to start thinking and acting through the lenses of those that are most marginalized, including LGBTI+ people, people with disabilities, people from poor backgrounds or people coming from ethnic minorities. These groups are all an integral part of the society, of labour relations and finally of the fight for workers’ rights. 

    The reports published by regional and international organizations show significant disadvantaged positions for the LGBTI+ workers compared to the others. The World Bank’s 2018 survey shows that 41% of LGBTI+ people had witnessed negative attitudes, comments, and conduct toward LGBTI+ colleagues, 14% had personally experienced such comments or conduct, and 16% had experienced unequal treatment with respect to employment conditions or benefits. Considering the fact that only 24% of LGBTI+ workers are open about being LGBTI+ at their workplace at regional level (which is higher than in the case of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro and North Macedonia). Furthermore, under the influence of overall stigma, exclusion and discrimination in the society, as well as the limited political representation of the LGBTI+ people, Trade Unions in the region do not include LGBTI+ people in the programs or their internal procedures. Thus, LGBTI+ workers’ rights remain unprotected even though they contribute towards the economy and development like all other workers. 

    In 2021, ERA in cooperation with the Solidarity Center, Solidarnost and other regional actors, has organized trainings and workshops for the trade unions in the Western Balkans. During these events, the Unions showed an openness to advance their work to better understand and represent LGBTI+ workers’ needs accordingly. Furthermore, they acknowledged that most of them face a lack of resources as well as knowledge on this topic. In the period 2019-2020 ERA conducted a needs assessment with Trade Union representatives from across the Western Balkans region. Almost all of them expressed a need for resources and materials on LGBTI+ worker’s issues, for trainings and workshops with the LGBTI+ community, and to know how they can help and assist the community from their perspective. 

    Therefore, this guide has been developed by ERA to provide easier access to information on LGBTI+ workers’ rights for trade union leaders and their members in the Western Balkans region. The guide will include information on the specific needs and concerns LGBTI+ workers face and it will share global and regional good practices on union engagement with LGBTI+ rights. Such practices show that union engagement on this topic is extremely important and beneficial for both communities. And that is relevant both from a worker’s rights perspective and on moral and ethical grounds because LGBTI+ people have the right to live in freedom and dignity just like everyone else. 

    This publication has been supported by the International Center Olof Palme and financed by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, SIDA. The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the views of International Center Olof Palme and SIDA.

  • “Discrimination at Work” Conference addresses LGBTI+ workers rights in the Western Balkans

    “Discrimination at Work” Conference addresses LGBTI+ workers rights in the Western Balkans

    On 23-25 March, ERA joined Solidarity Centre in Skopje, North Macedonia at its regional conference on “Discrimination at Work”. The event was attended by Trade Union representatives from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia. The three days event aimed to provide a snapshot of workplace discrimination in the Balkans region, as well as help to look at TU’s, workers’, governments’ and employers’ responses to unequal treatment at work, including legal efforts and policy changes, in order to pave the way for broader democratic policy changes that protect worker safety across the region.
    The conference served as a platform for networking and sharing knowledge and best practices and it helped unions to build connections among each-other as well as with CSOs as they look to build cross cutting movements for worker’s safety and facilitated knowledge sharing between the unions across the region.
    At this important regional gathering, ERA had the opportunity to facilitate a panel on the role of NGOs working on discrimination issues in the disability community, the LGBTIQ+ community and Roma/Egyptian and other minority communities on effectively confronting bullying and discrimination in hiring. The second panel was a presentation on LGBTI+ community and their specific challenges and needs as workers. ERA representatives shared with the participants also the recently published Guide for Trade Unions on engaging with LGBTI+ workers in the Western Balkans as well as provided tips and ideas on what can be done in our region.
    The event was an excellent opportunity for ERA to strengthen dialogue with Trade Unions and to promote inclusion of LGBTI+ workers. TU representatives appreciated the conversations on the topic and welcomed future possible cooperation with LGBTI+ organizations in the region as well as holding additional more in depth activities on this topic.
    Note: Since 2019 ERA is implenting a regional project aiming to address the socio-economic rights of LGBTI+ people in the Western Balkans, with the support of Olof Palme Center. 

  • Acknowledged but unequal: Addressing socio-economic and political rights of LGBTI people in the Western Balkans

    Acknowledged but unequal: Addressing socio-economic and political rights of LGBTI people in the Western Balkans

    As of 2020 ERA is running a new regional initiative with the support of Olof Palme International Center and in partnership with Swedish organization HBT-Socialdemokrater.
    The 4-years project, aims to address in particular the socio-economic and political rights of LGBTI+ people in the Western Balkans region, and in line with other beneficiaries and project partners of Olof Palme International Centre in the region counter threats to democracy and human rights, advance equality and LGBTI worker’s rights and further contribute to increased gender equality.
    While in the last 15-20 years LGBTI+ rights have entered the public domain and some legal and social rights have been achieved, the socio-economic and political rights of LGBTI people are far from fulfilled. The community still lives in fear of violence and discrimination and the movement across the region still struggle to have meaningful and deep cooperation with state institutions and other relevant stakeholders. EU integration remains an important incentive for furthering legal rights of LGBTI people, but it can do so much when it comes to a more robust socio-economic and political integration of the community. As such more specific initatives are required to address this gap.
    Keeping in mind that the above situation and ERA’s overall mission and specific goals, the initiative has the following specific objectives:
    1) to increase regional alliances between the LGBTI movements and labor movements (unions in particular) as well as political parties, with the main aim of facilitating dialogue and creating opportunities for mobilization and collective organizing for progressive social change;
    2) to create collaborative strategies of solidarity and build the capacities of the LGBTI movement, trade unions movements and progressive political parties to jointly counteract the shrinking space for civil society and the rising populist, nationalist, right-wing, anti-gender and anti-LGBTI movements in the region;
    3) To move beyond the prevailing narratives about LGBTI rights that focus only on rule of law and to push for a more holistic narrative on the lived realities of LGBTI people, as they intersect with class, race, gender, etc. and in relation to the socio-economic dimensions of homophobia and transphobia;
    4) To bridge the gap between LGBTI organizations, unions and political parties.
    Both topics, that of political participation of LGBTI people and that of socio-economic rights, remain under-addressed in our region and they represent great opportunity for further advancements as well as a responsibility to encourage political parties and unions to address the rights of LGBTI people in a fundamental, thorough and fully inclusive manner.
    As part of its first year of activities, ERA will work together with its members on establishing dialogue with political parties and unions in the region, develop a baseline assessment of existing practices within unions and political parties in the Western Balkans region, mapp the wider labor movements in the region and conduct a needs assessment for member organizations,  political parties and unions. The project includes also a study visit of ERA staff in Sweden, which was held in March 2020 and an online regional strategic meeting of above-mentioned stakeholders in the second half of 2020.
    Keeping in mind the travel restrictions and social distancing measures and protocols due to the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as the safety of our own staff and the stakeholders we are working with, all remaining project activities for the year 2020 will be conducted online.
    For questions or comments regarding the project please send an email at amarildo@lgbti-era.org