At a time when a legislative initiative is being discussed in the European Union regarding the adoption of a directive on the minimum wage, Albania has not yet formally set the subsistence minimum.
Efforts to define the subsistence minimum, over the years, have not produced any concrete results.
The Institution of the People's Advocate in cooperation with the office of the United Nations Development Program in Albania has presented the draft report "on the living wage in Albania", which after the completion of the public consultation, will be submitted to the Parliament of Albania, local media reports.
According to the People's Advocate, the value calculated in the study of the subsistence minimum in Albania for 2019 is approximately 17,875 ALL.
This value is 9.9% higher than the minimum pension for urban areas, 37.5% higher than unemployment benefits and about 3 times higher than economic assistance.
The estimated value of the subsistence minimum is 45.5% lower than the minimum wage in the country.
The People's Advocate has recommended that the definition of "living wage" be reflected in the entire legislative package that guarantees and ensures social protection in the Republic of Albania.
To be used, at the basis of drafting social policies for the needy and also as a reference to determine the minimum urban and rural pension, minimum wage, economic assistance, and unemployment benefits.
For many years, their size is not enough to cover the cost of food but also other human development activities for individuals and beneficiary families.
In the Income and Living Standards Survey, published by Albanian State Statistics Institute, known locally with the acronyms INSTAT, the risk indicator for being poor in Albania in 2019 is 23%.
The risk limit for being poor for a person in this survey is estimated at 170,785 ALL, compared to 160,742 ALL that was in 2018.