Introduction:

More than two decades since the transition from a command economy to an open market economy, Albanians continue to take up any opportunity to leave their country in search of a better life. Indeed, in 2015, they were second only to Syrians among the asylum seekers in Germany. Once considered the "star pupil" and the "success story" of the region by the IMF and World Bank officials), Albania remains one of the poorest countries in Europe with the highest rate of migration, relative to its population, in Central and Eastern Europe. This paper takes a labour perspective on the developmental model of Albania, and more specifically on the way Albania is integrated in the world economy. The model, which has relied heavily on low-wage jobs and flexible labour, has not met the promise of economic and social progress and has instead led to high levels of unemployment and underemployment, especially among the youth, and a shockingly high incidence of vulnerable employment. Breaking with this failed model, requires a model of development grounded on the principle that decent work is a cornerstone to achieving freedom from poverty, and economic and social progress.