AmCham’s position on decision on municipalities to prohibit businesses from working on Sundays

Prishtina, 20 February, 2020 – Private sector is key for an accelerated economic growth, creation of new jobs and fighting of poverty, however policies of the central and municipal level institutions should support and encourage investments of private enterprises, to enable them to play their proper role in improving the socio-economic situation in Kosovo.

The Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo provides for a market economy with free competition as the basis of the economic order of the country. In this regard, initiatives and decisions of the Government and municipalities should be in accordance with the provisions of the constitution, and should in no way hinder the strengthening of the private sector.

The American Chamber of Commerce in Kosovo voices its concerns regarding the decision of several municipal assemblies throughout Kosovo for prohibiting businesses from working on Sundays, which would limit economic activities, and ultimately slow down the economic growth in general.

The American Chamber believes that the limitation of work of businesses will further increase unemployment, in contradiction to the overall efforts of strengthening of the private sector, creation of new jobs and improvement of the welfare of the citizens.

In relation to the rationale of few municipal authorities, AmCham would like to remind that the employer-employee relations, including the working schedule, weekly rest, after hours, weekend and official holiday work, are regulated with the Labor Law, whereas the state authorities should only ensure proper implementation of the respective provisions by the employers.

Finally, the American Chamber of Commerce in Kosovo urges on the municipalities to revisit their decisions, and to take into consideration the concerns of the private sector prior to making any decisions that restricts their operations.