The Workers’ Union of Radio Television of Kosovo (SPERTK) has issued an urgent call to the public broadcaster’s new Board and Management, demanding the immediate implementation of the national minimum wage increase.
The union’s demand follows the government’s mandate that the minimum wage in the Republic of Kosovo will rise to €500 gross for full-time employment, effective July 1, 2026.
A Legal Obligation, Not a “Privilege”
In a formal communiqué released this week, the union leadership emphasized that several staff members at RTK are currently earning below the upcoming threshold and are waiting for their legal right to a fair wage to be realized.
“The minimum wage is not a privilege; it is a legal obligation that applies to all sectors in the Republic of Kosovo,” the statement read. “RTK workers cannot be treated as a second-class category.”
Warning of Legal Action
The union has signaled that it will take a “zero-tolerance” approach to any delays or negligence from the broadcaster’s management.
- Inspektorati i Punës: SPERTK warned that any failure to adjust salaries by the July deadline will result in immediate reports to the Labor Inspectorate.
- Institutional Redress: The union plans to escalate the matter to other competent state authorities if the broadcaster—which is funded by the state budget—fails to meet the statutory requirements.
Context: The 2026 Wage Reform
The push for a €500 minimum wage is a cornerstone of Kosovo’s 2026 economic policy, aimed at combating inflation and improving the standard of living. For RTK, a public institution often under scrutiny for its budgetary management and hiring practices, the union’s demand represents a significant test for the newly appointed Board.
By framing the issue as one of “dignity and legal standards,” SPERTK is putting pressure on the management to ensure that the broadcaster’s internal reforms align with the national legislative framework before the mid-summer deadline.
