2016 Annual Review of Labour Relations and Social Dialogue Albania NIKOLL DOCI February 2017  The main priorities of the government’s program during 2016 were to boost economic devel­opment, make reforms in the economic and social field, and pursue EU integration.  Since 2014, Albania has had candidate status for the EU. In December 2016, the Council of Foreign Ministers of the EU did not approve the opening of membership negotiations with Albania. The government had not fulfilled all the recommendations made in the European Commission’s report for the opening of negotiations: mainly regarding reform in the justice system, judicial system, the fight against organized crime and corruption, drug issues, elec­toral reform, and public administration, as well as in protecting human rights.  The economic indicators increased during 2016 and the general level of economic growth was higher compared to the previous two years. Albania continues to be affected by the global economic crisis with low economic growth, a reduction in remittances, a high unem­ployment rate, very high poverty, and bad loans that are as high as 22.5 per cent, damaging the business climate and restraining banks in terms of extending credit.  In the field of social dialogue, the activity of the National Labour Council(NLC) has not con­tinued normally, particularly at the end of the year. There has been some improvement in labour relations legislation, mainly in establishing structures of tripartite social dialogue at the local level. In general, bipartite and tripartite social dialogue remains weak in both the private and state sector.  Trade unions have enhanced their activity for achieving contracts and collective agreements. The number of protests organized by trade unions has not been higher compared to 2015. Employees' protection is still insufficient, especially for dismissal from jobs in the state sector for political reasons, health and safety at work of employees, etc. Trade union membership in the private sector remains low and cooperation between trade unions is limited.