The RTK Workers’ Union (SPERTK) has issued an urgent plea to institutions to avert a financial crisis threatening the public broadcaster’s operations. SPERTK emphasizes the critical need to immediately allocate the remaining portion of the budget approved by the Assembly to ensure the continuity of RTK’s mission.
Budget Cuts and Constitutional Court Appeal
The union highlighted that in November 2024, it submitted an appeal to the Constitutional Court regarding a €2 million budget reduction, but has yet to receive a response.
Ultimatum: Protests and Legal Action Looms
SPERTK warns that if the budget is not allocated by August 5, 2025, it will initiate legal lawsuits for violation of the law. Furthermore, starting August 6, 2025, the union will commence protests and legally permissible strikes until workers’ rightful demands are met and the public broadcaster’s financial stability is guaranteed.
Full Statement from SPERTK
“The RTK Workers’ Union (SPERTK) informs all workers and the public that as of Friday, it has been intensively engaged with all responsible parties to prevent financial difficulties for Radio Television of Kosovo and to ensure the normal functioning of its work and public service.
SPERTK demands that the remaining part of the budget, previously approved by the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo, be allocated as soon as possible to ensure the continuity of RTK’s mission without financial obstacles.
We emphasize that in November 2024, the RTK Workers’ Union, through the Ombudsman, submitted a complaint to the Constitutional Court regarding the reduction of RTK’s budget by €2 million. To date, we have not received any official response on this case, therefore we await a just decision in accordance with the law.
SPERTK calls on all political parties, without distinction, to intervene immediately and find urgent solutions to prevent RTK from being financially damaged and the jobs of hundreds of workers from being jeopardized. We recall that even in 2021, despite the lack of functional institutions at all levels, legal methods were found to allocate funds and avoid a financial crisis.
Should the budget not be allocated to RTK’s account by August 5, 2025, the Union will initiate lawsuits for legal violations, and from August 6, 2025, will commence protests and strikes permitted by law, until the workers’ just demands are met and the financial stability of the public broadcaster is guaranteed.
SPERTK remains committed, in cooperation with all relevant factors, to ensuring that RTK has stable funding, editorial independence, and dignified working conditions for all its employees.”
