Punëshkatarëve

Punëshkatarëve is the Albanian term used to describe people who are perceived to shirk or avoid work. The word combines punë, meaning work, with a suffix that functions to denote a person who avoids or evades a task, producing a pejorative label. In everyday use, punëshkatarëve is part of social and political discourse rather than a formal sociological category, and its meaning can vary with context.

In public and media discussions, the term is often directed at individuals believed to rely on informal arrangements, welfare benefits, or other non-work activities rather than engaging in sustained employment. It can be employed as a general stereotype about a segment of the population, rather than as a precise description of distinct groups or behaviors. Because it is value-laden, its application depends heavily on the speaker and the situation.

The concept is debated among scholars and policymakers. Critics argue that labeling people as punëshkatarëve can stigmatize those facing structural barriers to employment, such as limited job availability, skill mismatches, discrimination, or inadequate social support systems. Proponents in some policy circles may view the label as a shorthand for concerns about labor force participation and the strains on welfare programs. Most analyses emphasize data-driven approaches to understand unemployment, labor market dynamics, and the effectiveness of employment programs, rather than relying on pejorative categorizations.

See also: unemployment, labor market participation, welfare state, informal economy.