Heavy workload and low wages / Job quality: Albanian workers among the most dissatisfied in Europe, the 7 reasons

Job quality is not determined only by salary, but by a combination of factors that affect the overall work experience and an individual’s personal life.

Alongside income, there are six other influencing factors, specifically: quality of working time; prospects and job security; skills and autonomy at work; work intensity; social environment at work; and physical work environment. Together, these factors provide a complete picture of working conditions.

According to the latest study by Eurofound, a project of the European Commission, these seven elements are directly linked to employees’ well-being, motivation, productivity, and health. Eurofound measured job quality through its survey on working conditions and sustainable work, conducted once every five years and published in April, which included Western Balkan countries alongside EU member states. The value of the index for each indicator is measured from 0 (worst situation) to 100 (best situation).

Higher job quality is associated with greater life satisfaction, stronger engagement at work, higher social trust, and lower chances that employees will leave their jobs.

According to the report, there are significant differences in job quality scores between countries, reflecting different workforce compositions, institutional frameworks, and regulations. Denmark, Finland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Norway report the highest job quality scores in most dimensions, while Western Balkan countries report the lowest average scores.

Albanian workers report the greatest dissatisfaction regarding income, quality of working time, social and physical environment, lack of prospects, and workload, while they are somewhat more positive about the development of their work skills.

Income, Albanians among the most dissatisfied

The greatest dissatisfaction among Albanian workers is related to income, where they rank near the bottom of the list together with Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia, with 53 points, compared to the European average of 58, while Greece is at the bottom with 52 points.

The same report found that 39% of Albanian workers have difficulty or great difficulty making ends meet, compared to the European average of 8%. This percentage is the highest in Europe and significantly higher than in other countries. Greece ranks second after Albania, where 21% of respondents stated they cannot make it to the end of the month financially.

Interestingly, workers in Kosovo, although it is the country with the lowest wages in Europe, are not at the bottom of the list for the income indicator, ranking with 58 points, at the European average level and higher than countries such as France, Spain, or Italy.

The earnings indicator measures to what extent work provides a livelihood for employees. It includes income level, income predictability, and how fair earnings are perceived in relation to the effort and work performed.

Working time quality, second to last

Another indicator where Albania ranks second to last is working time quality, with 64 points (compared to the European average of 75), leaving only Montenegro behind.

The working time quality indicator assesses the quality of time spent at work. It focuses on working hours duration, non-standard schedules, flexibility and predictability of schedules, as well as the control employees have over their working time.

Albanian workers operate in a negative social environment

Another indicator where Albania ranks second to last is the social environment, with 73 points compared to the European average of 79, leaving only Montenegro behind.

The social environment indicator relates to employees’ need for supportive relationships in the workplace, both with colleagues and managers. It includes the absence of negative social behavior and the quality of management.

The harshest physical environment in Europe for Albania and Kosovo

Regarding the physical environment, Albania also ranks second to last in Europe (70 points compared to the EU average of 81), leaving only Kosovo behind.

The physical environment indicator measures exposure to physical risks and physical demands in the workplace.

No prospects

For job prospects as well, Albanian workers rank near the bottom, with 72 points compared to the European average of 75, leaving behind Slovakia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Romania, the Czech Republic, Montenegro, and Kosovo (which ranks last in Europe for lack of job prospects).

The prospects indicator relates to employees’ need for security and control over the future. It includes career prospects, job security, vulnerability, and employment status, since these factors affect access to social protection.

High workload

Albanian workers believe they face relatively high work intensity, with 60 points compared to the European average of 67, leaving behind Norway, Kosovo, Montenegro, Malta, and Cyprus.

The work intensity indicator refers to the pace at which work is carried out during working hours. It takes into account workload and emotional demands, as well as constraints affecting work pace. These constraints may be imposed by clients, managers, or production targets. The more constraints there are, the harder it becomes to work at the preferred pace and the higher the risk of conflicting priorities.

Albanian workers believe in their work abilities

Albania performs better in the skills indicator, with 55 points, very close to the EU average of 57, leaving behind many countries such as Spain, Montenegro, Portugal, Greece, and Italy. However, Kosovo still scores much higher (60 points).

The skills and discretion indicator relates to employees’ need to use and develop their skills at work, as well as to grow through professional experience. It includes cognitive aspects of work, development opportunities, freedom in decision-making, participation in the organization, and training.

The survey

The European Working Conditions Survey 2024, published in April this year, provides a complete overview of job quality in Europe by analyzing workforce characteristics, workplaces, job quality, and quality of working life.

The survey is an important instrument for policymakers, as it highlights the role of job quality in achieving sustainable and inclusive growth in Europe.

The survey findings are based on 36,644 face-to-face interviews conducted across 35 countries. Each interview lasted around 45 minutes, providing a unique insight into the state of work in Europe.

This survey has been conducted regularly since 1990, providing a comparable series of data on working conditions in Europe at five-year intervals.

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