UNMIK/PR/147
Pristina—This morning, UNMIK representatives of the banking sector of Pillar IV met with the newly established Counsel of Protests representing employees of the former National Bank of Kosovo. The Counsel articulated their demands which focused mainly on matters pertaining to the continued operation of the National Bank of Kosovo and employment of all bank personnel. Counsel representatives allege that bank employees’ rights to work have been violated by UNMIK.
While UNMIK representatives listened carefully to the demands as expressed by the Counsel, they reminded those present that the establishment of the Banking and Payments Authority of Kosovo (BPK) and the Bank Licensing, Supervision and Regulation Department (Regulations No. 1999/20 and 1999/21 of 15 November) allows for the building of a sound and stable banking system consistent with international banking standards.
Measures have been taken by the newly created institution, the BPK, to systematically review all matters pertaining to the administration, operations and personnel of the previously existing bank system, the SDK, in order to carve out from this system a modern-day bank that could provide many of the vital functions resembling those of a Central Bank. While former employees of the SDK were hired by the BPK, the officers of UNMIK responsible for the banking sector never promised continued employment to personnel of the National Bank of Kosovo.
UNMIK banking representatives advised protest Counsel representatives that employees of the National Bank of Kosovo should continue to seek out new employment opportunities, adding that the recruitment effort publicized throughout Kosovo by the Central Fiscal Authority (CFA) in November 1999 contained jobs for which many of the bank employees possessed the necessary skills and experience. UNMIK representatives further appraised Counsel representatives of their plans to move forward on recruitment for senior and mid-level positions within the various departments of the BPK. Like the CFA’s recruitment drive, the BPK will follow employment practices based on the principles of fairness and transparency.
UNMIK representatives agreed to provide a written statement to the Counsel by Friday, 4 February.