Albanian local government employees to receive salary increase of 20 to 40%
Local government employees in Albania are set to see a significant increase in their salaries, with raises ranging from 20% to 40%.
Why is this significant
In addition to salary increases aimed at narrowing existing pay gaps, local government employees will now be treated similarly to their central government counterparts in terms of job tenure and salary calculations.
Context
Currently, the average salary for these workers is 93,000 ALL (approximately 930 Euros). Under the new adjustments, salaries will increase to an average of 111,600 ALL in the worst-case scenario and up to 130,200 ALL in the best-case scenario. This decision was approved in principle during the Monday meeting of the Advisory Council on Central-Local Governance.
Adelina Farrici, Executive Director of the Association for Local Autonomy, highlighted the ongoing demand from local governments to balance the pay levels of local specialists with their central government counterparts. “Many municipalities suffer from a shortage of human resources and have vacant positions but lack applications,” Farrici told A2 CNN.
According to preliminary documents, the government plans to support municipalities by covering the minimum wage costs for employees. “We are requesting that the fund be slightly higher than what is required to cover the minimum wage, as many municipalities cannot meet these costs with their own funds alone,” Farrici said.
The pay raise will also impact the 61 mayors, who will see a different calculation formula than previously applied. Detailed information will be released once the Ministry of Finance and the government approve the financial bill that will facilitate the salary increases for approximately 37,000 local administration employees.
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