Dated September 30, 2024, Professor Merita Xhumari, Department of Political Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tirana, within the European Union project COST Action (DIGI-net) CA 21107 "Work inequalities in later life redefined by digitalization ” (“Inequalities at work for senior age groups determined by digitization”), initiated and realized the workshop with political actors in the premises of the University of Tirana (Agenda attached).

 

As a Member of the Steering Committee of the project and Coordinator of the "Older Workers Reference Group" within this project, with the support of Dr. Martina Rasticova, Project Manager and Iris Finger, Finance Manager, we realized one of its objectives to share experiences based on scientific research findings from some of Europe's most prestigious institutions with all interested parties, both internally and externally. to the COST Action project (DIGI-net) CA 21107, regarding the impact of digitization for senior age groups in the labor market.

 

The workshop was supported by the main leaders of the University of Tirana in the Rectors, as well as the Faculties of Social Sciences and the Faculty of Economics. Respecting the principle of social dialogue, not only academics and researchers who are members and non-members of the COST network were invited to participate, but also representatives from central public institutions, representatives from employers and employees, the largest trade unions in the country, who were gave the opportunity to moderate a panel discussion. The presence of key speakers such as Prof. was in honor of the University of Tirana. William Bartlett from the London School of Economics and Political Sciences, Ivana Prica, professor at the Faculty of Economics, University of Belgrade, who referred to the situation in the countries of the Western Balkans; Pietro Checcucci nga National Institute for Public Policy Analysis (INAPP), Italy; Dragos Adascalitei, Director of studies on Working Conditions in Eurofound, Anette Scoppetta, vice. Director of the European Center for Social Policy and Research, Vienna, and Professor Aine Ni Liene, Galway University, Ireland, which referred in detail to the case of Ireland. After each presentation, the audience continued with questions and discussions on the impact of digitalization on the senior age groups in the labor market.

 

 

Their contribution will serve as a catalyst for meaningful discussions between different actors, with the belief that it will have an impact on policy making. The complex interaction between digitization and the workforce in different national and professional contexts will reflect the perspectives of different actors in the labor market. The private employers represented by Business Albania invested in keeping the older age group in work as long as possible, unlike the state employer that took them out of the market with the filling of  retirement age. Private employers raised the need to remove the burden of social security contributions for the category of employees who, even though they had retired, continued to practice their profession in the market. Also, researchers from the University of Tirana, especially from the Faculty of Social Sciences and the Faculty of Economics, presented their research on the impact of digitalization on the reformulation of policies for active aging and how these dynamics can promote institutional and cultural transformations both at the national level , as well as in the organizational one. This is especially necessary for the Western Balkans region, which includes Albania, which has experienced high migration, especially among young active forces aiming for a better life.

 

In this context, it was underlined as a recommendation that all actors of our society focus on adapting labor market policies to digitalization strategies, with the aim of developing the knowledge, skills and competencies of older workers in line with the digital market demands of work.

 

This workshop was appreciated by all active attendees as providing an essential platform for stakeholders to engage in fruitful dialogue, share their perspectives and foster collaborative and participatory research in the field, which are valid to be implemented in Albania as well. The University will serve as a catalyst for such fruitful debates, so that through the presentation of the findings of scientific research, it can guide policymakers by creating bridges of connection between all actors of society in the advancement of policies and practices in the main sectors of the economy.

 

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Prof. Dr. Merita Jumari, Department of Political Sciences,

Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tirana

 

Member of the Steering Committee and Coordinator of the "Older Workers Reference Group" of COST Action "Work inequalities in later life redefined by digitalization" (DIGI-net) CA 21107

Contact: E-mail meritax22@gmail.com; merita.xumari@unitir.edu.al