Elmaz Isufi, in an opinion piece for Koha, writes that the promises of political parties in the election campaign, to reduce unemployment and poverty, may be fulfilled easier than their predictions. Not from their development policies, but from the massive escape of Kosovo citizens, mostly young people, towards European countries. If for nothing else, this will serve for internal statistics to be translated into success – fewer unemployed, less poor, writes Isufi.
The author writes that the asylum phenomenon comes at a time when there are promises for 200 thousand new jobs and increasing of salaries, visa liberalization and half a billion euro investment in agriculture. So, Isufi says that the luxury life promised by party leaders, nor only it was not convincing, but it made people, through migrating, to end their waiting and hopes that one day it will get better.
Isufi further writes that it is said that within a few months, nearly 15 thousand people fled the country. “And with no development strategy, in four years, this number will reach nearly 100 thousand,” says Isufi.
The unemployment affects all group ages. Not only those who are looking for a job for the first time, but also those who are fired, distance themselves from society and suffer long-term trauma. “Does it make sense anymore, to demand more sacrifice, or even worse, to blame them that their actions are damaging the image and prospects of Kosovo,” concludes Isufi.
