Vacation? Not for us

Politiko.al

Summer is theoretically the season of the sea, vacations, and relaxation. But for many young Albanians, especially those without economic support, it is a time for work, not rest.

When you ask young people what they're going to do this summer, the most common answer is not "I'm going to relax," but "I'm going to work."

"I will work during the season in Dhërmi. Initially in the kitchen because there is a lot of traffic and from July-August I will work as a waiter.", 20-year-old SK told Politiko.al

Rising prices and the inability to afford living have pushed many young people to use the summer months to earn an income. Seasonal work has become a necessity.

On the other hand, the Albanian coast is filling up with vacationers, but mainly foreigners or Albanians from the diaspora.

While they relax, many local youth face 12-hour shifts, minimum wage, and often no employment contract.

 " This is the second time I've come to Dhërmi. I worked in Himara for years. I came to Dhërmi because when you work as a waiter you get more tips from foreigners and Albanians. We get really tired, but at least the work takes care of our food and accommodation. This way we can save some money for school and help our family," says the young man.

Asked about shifts, SK said that there are cases where they work over 12 hours depending on the workload.

" August is especially full of people. We sweat profusely there. The basic salary is not very high, but it's good that we have tips. The fact that we are seasonal means we don't even have an employment contract. There are also friends of mine who are 17 years old and have come to work," the 20-year-old tells Politko.

Summer, as a symbol of relaxation and the beautiful life, remains a deferred dream for many young Albanians.

They are the generation that more than ever wants to be independent, but that more than ever finds it difficult to achieve this without sacrifices.