2016 Annual Review of Labour Relations and Social Dialogue Kosovo KUSHTRIM SHAIPI February 2017  The government of Kosovo has made some progress in implementing the provisions of the Stabilization and Association Agreement(SAA) with the European Union(EU), how­ever, there are delays in some areas. The area that needs most immediate attention is that of establishing and operating standardization and accreditation agencies and other quality infrastructure that is a pre-condition for meaningful competition under open-mar­ket rules.  Several basic laws in the field of social dialogue and labour-related fields have under­gone amendments. Civil society organizations(CSOs) supported some of the amend­ment processes; however, in the case of revision of the pension system, strong oppo­sition to the initiative has been shown by CSOs.  Macro-economic stability has also been evidenced across indicators of performance, with the economy showing constant growth. However, the average 3% growth rate is considered insufficient to absorb the influx of new entrants in the labour market each year.  Social dialogue and collective bargaining have been of increasing importance in the view of the general public and the government. Amendments to several labour-related laws that affect the entire society have attracted significant media coverage.  Failure of the only trade union confederation in Kosovo, Bashkimi i Sindikatave të Pavarura të Kosovës(BSPK), to organize an anticipated Election Congress, which was planned for November, is considered a significant blow to trade union activism in Ko­sovo and social dialogue and workers representation in general.