After the fire in Tirana, a 50% increase in firefighters' overtime pay is proposed

2026-04-21 07:16:49, Aktualitet CNA

After the fire in Tirana, a 50% increase in firefighters' overtime pay is

Following the fire incident in a residential complex near Pharmacy No. 10 in Tirana, built by the "Arlis" company, the government is expected to intervene in the decision on the payments of firefighters.

The draft decision "On some additions and amendments to decision no. 203, dated 10.4.2019 of the Council of Ministers "On determining the criteria, the amount of benefit and types of other holidays, with or without pay, in the fire protection and rescue service" proposes the unification of the financial treatment of employees of the Fire Protection and Rescue Service (MZSH), as well as the determination of the maximum limit of additional hours of 200 hours per year for operational employees.

According to the draft, employees will receive overtime pay at the rate of 25% for overtime on regular working days. For evening hours, 20% (19:00–22:00) of the salary will be received; 50% of the salary for overtime during the weekly rest; 50% for work on official holidays and 50% for night hours (22:00–06:00).

An important innovation will be the clear definition of benefits for both employees scheduled in the service schedule and those not scheduled in the service.

They will receive overtime pay, specifically 50% of the salary for work on official holidays; 50% of the salary for night hours; 50% of the salary for overtime hours outside the scheduled 24-hour shift.

Meanwhile, for unscheduled employees who are called to service during holidays, it is provided: an additional day off or payment for 8 additional hours; compensation for each additional hour based on the hourly wage.

The draft decision also sets a maximum limit of 200 additional hours per year for operational employees, except in cases of civil emergencies or force majeure, when exceeding is permitted with the authorization of the Labor Inspectorate.

According to the proposed draft decision, the changes aim to unify financial treatment and create clarity for this category of employees, eliminating ambiguities that have led to different interpretations and inequality in practice.

"Without a unified practice, some employees have received payments for overtime and night hours through court decisions. It is precisely with reference to these shortcomings that serious problems in recruitment and dismissals have been identified at all levels of the Ministry of Health Service."

In order to unify the treatment and create clarity regarding this category of employees, there is a need to intervene in decision no. 203 dated 10.4.2019 of the Council of Ministers. Through this draft decision, an increase in motivation and stability in the service is also aimed.

"The unification of financial treatment directly impacts the motivation of operational personnel, strengthening preparedness and performance in emergency situations," the draft decision states.

Some of the proposed changes in the draft decision "On some additions and amendments to decision no. 203, dated 10.4.2019 of the Council of Ministers "On determining the criteria, the amount of benefit and types of other holidays, with or without pay, in the fire protection and rescue service".

Point 1 of the draft decision provides that point 4 of decision no. 203, dated 10.04.2019 of the Council of Ministers is amended as follows: "4. An employee with a service rank of the Ministry of Defense, for additional hours of work/service, benefits from a salary supplement in the amount of:

a) 25% for each additional hour of work/service on a regular working day;

b) 50% for each hour of additional work/service performed during the weekly rest period;

c) 50% for each hour of work/service on official holidays;

ç) 50% for each hour of work/service from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM;

d) 20% for each hour of work/service from 19:00 to 22:00.

Point 2 of the draft decision provides that after point 4, points 4/1 and 4/2 are added with the following content: "4/1. An employee with a service rank of the Ministry of Defense, scheduled for service according to point 3 of this decision, benefits from a salary supplement in the amount of:

a) 50% for each hour of service on official holidays;

b) 50% for each hour of service work performed from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM;

c) 50% for each hour of additional service work performed outside the scheduled 24-hour service”. “4/2. An employee with a service rank of the Ministry of Defense, not scheduled in the service schedule according to point 3 of the decision, on official holidays benefits: a) an additional day off or due to the nature of the work, 8 additional hours are paid calculated on top of the hourly wage. b) each hour of additional service work is calculated on top of the hourly wage determined in point 2 of the decision.”

Point 3 of the draft decision provides that after point 6, point 6/1 is added with the following content: "6/1. The maximum number of overtime hours for the operational employee of the Ministry of Health service cannot exceed 200 hours per year. With the authorization of the State Labor Inspectorate, the maximum number of overtime hours may be exceeded only in cases of force majeure or management of civil emergencies for the benefit of the population"./Monitor.al