Berisha: The system could push employers not to hire young women

The way responsibilities are divided between the state, the employer and the worker can create situations in which young women are penalised in the labour market, according to economist Brikena Berisha.

On the “Rrugëtimi” podcast, Berisha spoke about the burden that can fall on a small business in cases of maternity leave, injury or the prolonged absence of a worker.

She stressed that the private sector does not consist only of large corporations, but also of entrepreneurs with only a few workers.

“When you tell them: you are going to take on a worker and whatever he does, if he is injured, if he has an accident, if he goes on maternity leave… An employer — because do not perceive the private sector as the owners of corporations. They are not the private sector; you can count them on your fingers,” Berisha said.

She asked that small businesses in particular be taken into account in the discussion about employers’ responsibilities.

“But count an entrepreneur who has started a company in good faith, with two to five workers, who in many cases himself plays several roles, from director to other aspects as well. That is to say, you cannot impose on him something more than he can guarantee for the future,” she stated.

According to Berisha, a system that leaves a large part of the burden on the employer can create direct consequences for young women during recruitment.

“So, in this case, in the real chances, he will decide not to hire young women because of the possibility of starting a family, which is a very great penalisation,” Berisha said.

Her statement came in the context of the argument for changing the way social protection and maternity leave are financed, so that the burden does not rest solely on the worker or the employer.

During the interview, Berisha proposed the creation of a Social Insurance Fund, which, according to her, could also take over the financing of maternity leave.

The full interview can be watched in the eighth episode of the “Rrugëtimi” podcast, as reported by Telegrafi.