The Trade Union of RTK Workers (SPERTK) has addressed the new legislature of the Assembly with a request to ensure independent and sustainable funding for the public broadcaster.
In a letter, SPERTK emphasized that the adoption of the new RTK Law is urgent, IndeksOnline reports.
“RTK has operated in continuous uncertainty for 26 years. In 2021, an additional €2.2 million was removed from its budget, leaving the public broadcaster with the lowest funding in the region. This situation is unfair to workers and damaging to the public service,” the Union stated.
Full Letter:
The Trade Union of RTK Workers (SPERTK) addresses the new legislature of the Assembly of Kosovo with the request to finally ensure independent and sustainable funding for the public broadcaster. Funding models exist, and the approval of the new RTK Law is urgent, as is the construction of the institution’s new building.
RTK has operated under constant uncertainty for 26 years. In 2021, an additional €2.2 million was cut from its budget, leaving the broadcaster with the lowest funding in the region. This situation is unfair to workers and harmful to the public service.
SPERTK requests:
• Before approving the national budget, a 0.7% annual increase for RTK should be set, corresponding to the yearly growth of the state budget.
• The adoption of a new law that ensures independent funding and normal institutional functioning.
• The initiation of the construction process of RTK’s long-delayed new building.
SPERTK will present additional demands for salary increases and advancement of the collective contract to the new legislature and future management bodies. We will wait until the Assembly, Board, and management are fully formed. If these issues—especially the immediate salary increase—are not addressed, SPERTK will begin union measures without delay.
We remind that RTK currently operates without a Board, without a Director-General, without an Editor-in-Chief, and with many positions held by acting officials. Therefore, it is essential for the new legislature and the incoming Board to carefully review every contract and every budget expenditure of RTK.
RTK is a public asset. Its stability is in the interest of citizens and a responsibility of institutions. SPERTK will continue to protect workers and demand fair and stable working conditions.
