20 workers have lost their lives this year, Hoti warns of new measures

The Minister of Labour, Family and Liberation War Values, Andin Hoti, said today that institutions have taken a series of measures to strengthen safety and health in the workplace.

At the first meeting of the National Council for Safety and Health at Work (KNSSHP), he spoke about important issues related to safety and health at work.

Hoti announced that during the first seven months of this year 8,608 inspections were carried out, while over 290 measures were taken to halt works because of the violations found.

“Within the inspection activity, over 290 measures have been taken to halt works because of the violations found, from 8,608 inspections carried out in just seven months. We have advanced the digitalisation of inspections and, as you know, the Central Labour Inspectorate has now moved to fully digital inspection,” Hoti said.

Minister Hoti said a decision has also been taken to use drones to supervise work sites and high-risk places, while announcing that procedures for recruiting 39 new inspectors are being finalised.

Hoti said that, despite the measures taken, accidents in the workplace, including fatal ones, continue to be a concern.

“Despite the measures taken, unfortunately, accidents continue to happen at work, including those with fatality or loss of life. Therefore this requires an even more visible and more serious engagement on our part. Every case must be carefully analysed by us to assign responsibilities and to take measures to prevent its repetition,” he said.

The National Council for Safety and Health at Work was founded on 14 May 2026 by the Government of Kosovo as a mechanism for protecting workers’ lives and health. This Council will strengthen inter-institutional cooperation and will contribute to advancing safety standards at work.

Workplace safety continues to be a concern, as this year alone 20 workers have lost their lives, of them 11 cases in construction and nine others in different sectors. /KP/