MEDIA DIALOGUE ON LABOUR RELATIONS

The media dialogue on labour relations marked the start of a series of media discussions on different issues that seek to encourage and facilitate professional debates among media professionals. The first media dialogue was organized at the Albanian Media Institute on December 19 and focused on labour relations, their implementation in media outlets, and their impact on media freedom and independence. The participants were briefed on the main international documents that cover labour relations and international labour standards, such as the basic conventions of International Labour Organizations, the follow-up reports on implementation of international labour standards, the different policies related to labour standards, social protection, social dialogue, and employment policies. The participants also became aware of the main aspects of Albanian legislation in this area and discussed with Aleksander Cipa, head of the Albanian Journalists Trade Union, on ways the law is implemented and its main deficiencies, including examples from their own employment experiences. Cipa dwelled on the current situation of trade union movements in the country. He discussed with journalists the reasons why this movement has been so weak and the attempts to strengthen it, especially in negotiations with the Ministry of Labour for enforcing work contracts in the media industry. This media dialogue was organized by the Albanian Media Institute with the support of the Network Media Program.