The SafeJournalists Network expresses its deep concern over the allegations of serious labor rights violations against former journalists and media employees of Ora Sh.a., a broadcaster under state administration in Albania since September 2023.
On June 19, 2025, ten former employees of Ora Sh.a. submitted an official complaint to Albanian state institutions, alleging systematic violations of their labor rights. They reported unlawful collective dismissals, stating that approximately 80 media workers were terminated between 2024 and 2025 without adherence to required legal procedures, including forced resignations, immediate terminations without proper notice, and abrupt removal from official employment registers. Additionally, they claimed that Ora Sh.a. systematically failed to pay mandatory social security and health insurance contributions from 2022 to 2025, in direct violation of Albanian laws No. 7703/1993 and No. 10383/2011. Furthermore, the complainants expressed concern about their potential exclusion from the ongoing bankruptcy proceedings of Ora Sh.a., fearing this could jeopardize their ability to claim unpaid wages, severance payments, and outstanding insurance contributions.
We express serious concern regarding the alleged labor rights violations affecting former Ora Sh.a. employees, emphasizing that stable and fair working conditions are essential for journalists to serve the public interest independently. Currently, their professional integrity, financial security, and personal well-being are significantly compromised. Furthermore, this case highlights a troubling pattern of precarious labor practices within Albania’s media sector, where multiple media outlets reportedly failed to provide mandatory social and health protections to journalists between 2024 and 2025.
The SafeJournalists Network stands in full solidarity with the affected journalists and media workers, and we remain committed to supporting their efforts. We urge the Albanian authorities to conduct an urgent and transparent investigation into the reported labor rights violations at Ora Sh.a. Albanian institutions should formally recognize and protect former employees as privileged creditors in the ongoing bankruptcy proceedings.
The SafeJournalists Network will keep national and international stakeholders informed about these developments and will closely monitor the situation, providing regular updates and advocating for appropriate action.
Every attack on journalists is an attack on democracy, the public interest, and fundamental human rights.
Pristina – Skopje – Sarajevo – Zagreb – Belgrade – Podgorica, 23 June 2025
Association of Journalists of Kosovo
Association of Journalists of Macedonia
BH Journalists Association
Croatian Journalists’ Association
Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia
Trade Union of Media of Montenegro
Izvor: IJAS
Photo by: Canva
