What is the Union of Albanian Journalists (UAJ)
"Union of Albanian Journalists" (UAJ) was established by decision of 25/10/2005 Tirana District Court at the request presented by Aleksander Cipa and the acts as a foundation for legal registration.
"Union of Albanian Journalists" began to expand in the country, having the first branch in Tirana, then branches in major districts of the country like in Durres, Elbasan, Kukes, Shkodra, Peshkopia, Korca, Gjirokastra, Saranda, Vlora, Fier, Berat etc.. where the community of professional journalists lives and works. UAJ has established its branches in neighboring countries where they live and exercise their profession as correspondents or reporters to the country's main media, such as in Athens, Brussels, Rome, etc.
In 21/11 / 2005 National Assembly convened the "Union of Albanian Journalists”, where forums and its leading bodies at national level were founded
Supported by IREX (International Research & Exchanges Board), Union was affirmed as the only active organization of journalists and the biggest in the country.
During February-March 2006 invited by the Union, Petko Georgiev Director of Bulgarian Training Center arrived for a training period in Tirana, to assist the UAJ to formulate the basic documents on which reflects the required improvement of Albanian journalists rights . At the end of this training, a draft of collective contract journalist type was proposed and assisted by legal experts, and by representatives of government’s labor offices and State Labor Inspectorate.
In September 2006 the Union of Journalists, launched negotiations with the Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities for the achievement of a cooperation agreement.
On 29/12/2006 "Union of Albanian Journalists and the Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities of cooperation signed the agreement " For information and assistance in the implementation of labor legislation.
After signing the agreement, a cycle of mutual inspections between the "Union of Journalists and the State Labor Inspectorate for verification of the situation started.
During the following months "Union" takes part in several national meetings and round tables for the problems of freedom of media and social situation of journalists.
In collaboration with the Albanian Center of Media Monitoring, under the support of the foundation "Friedrich Ebert" UAJ worked for the report on the status and social conditions of journalists, which was published in the "Albanian Center of Media Monitoring"
"Union of journalists" during this period has been the only active organization that has reacted for 8 cases of infringement of the Labor Code of by media owners and journalists arbitrariness to the collective.
In several press conferences conducted by top leaders of "Union of Journalists" is was denounced the fact of lack of labor contracts, the non-observance of experience and professional skills and requirements for the formalization of labor relations between employers and employees.
Leaders of the "Union of Albanian Journalists" have denounced through statements and protest notes the cases of violence exerted on the reporter, journalist and editor ex officio.
Leaders of the "Union of Albanian Journalists" initiated meetings and consultations with Albanian parliamentary and executive representatives on how to reflect the media community requests and rights into the new media Law.
"Union of Albanian Journalists" have had an intensive agenda of contacts and correspondence with international journalists associations as well as international forums, such as International Federation of Journalists, the European Union of Journalists, SEEMO, Croatian Union of journalists..
"Union of Albanian Journalists" has already begun negotiations with several national media employers for implementation of collective labor contracts in their media institutions. Thanks to the insistence of the “Union of Albanian Journalists" it is achieved the signing of these contracts in four audiovisual media, public and private.