Resolving Workplace Disputes: Integrating ILO Standards with Albanian Labor Law

Effective workplace dispute resolution mechanisms are essential for ensuring fair labor practices and safeguarding workers' rights. This article examines the resolution of workplace disputes in Albania by integrating International Labour Organization (ILO) standards with national labor law. Despite legislative reforms, Albania faces persistent challenges in providing timely, accessible, and impartial mechanisms for addressing labor conflicts. The study identifies key gaps in the Albanian legal framework, including limited awareness of workers’ rights, underdeveloped internal grievance systems, and inconsistent use of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms such as mediation and arbitration. Adopting a triangulated mixed-methods approach, the research combines doctrinal analysis of national legislation and international instruments with empirical data gathered through surveys and semi-structured interviews with employees, employers, union representatives, mediators, and legal experts. The findings highlight significant discrepancies between the formal rights guaranteed by law and their practical enforcement, particularly in the private sector and among vulnerable worker categories. The study argues that closer alignment with ILO standards, including stronger promotion of internal grievance mechanisms, institutional support for ADR, and reinforced labor inspection systems, is crucial for improving the effectiveness of workplace dispute resolution in Albania. Furthermore, the research stresses the importance of social dialogue and stakeholder consultation in designing reforms that are both legally sound and practically viable. By bridging the gap between law and practice, Albania can enhance the protection of labor rights, strengthen workplace justice, and promote a more stable and equitable labor market. Received: 12 May 2025 / Accepted: 24 August 2025 / Published: 05 September 2025