In this place on Kosovo, Serbs and Albanians are living LIKE BROTHERS! (PHOTO)

A factory is successfully doing business in Kosovo and everybody is happy - both Albanians and Serbs

In central Kosovo, in the village Suvi Do, which is next to Lipljan it by the Serbian system of local communities it belongs to the municipality Ljipljan, and by the Kosovo system, it belongs to the Gracanica, there is a factory where Serbs and Albanians work together. 

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This especially unique example causes attention and everybody agrees that it can set an example. Manager of the factory that does production and processing of fruit is Sarafedin Gasi from Pristina, who values work, trust and quality the most.

- I learned everything form my father, following his principles, that the most important in the work are work and respect, business doesn't understand the language of politics - said in the talk with Telegraf Gasi and adds - people are living hard, not a single state owned factory is working, they just come and ask if i need a worker, and a good worker is always needed.

- Every man has a right to work, we strive to improve the working conditions - said Sarafedin while he shows us the modern building that follows every standard and is set to work.

In the hall there are two latest freezers of 2000 tons capacity, the workers are packing frozen strawberries intended for the market of the European union, they are all supervised by Lazar Vasic (23), with the diploma from College Customs Managementv

- Its hard to find a job and i don't know if i will ever find anything i went to school for, i have been working here for two years, the pay and conditions are good - said Lazar who lives in new suburb with his parents, sister and granny, and who's family is not lacking anything thanks to his pay. With the Albanian colleagues he gets along - we are all here for income, we all have the same needs.

- During the break we eat together, some one us hang out outside the factory, we have a drunk - said Lazar.

Valjeta Krasnici, from Ljupljan, mother of two, is permanently employed.

- I have been working here for a year now, i am happy with my job and i get along with my colleagues, there are no problems - said Valjeta who doesn't mind working with Serbs, and she is friendly with them.

This company starts working in the season that starts depending from the weather, at the start or at the end of march, and ends on the first snow. It hires around 1500 workers without looking at nationality and religion.

On the plantations of 100 hectares, of which only 24 is under the company ownership and the rest is owned by individuals, the following fruits are gathered: strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, aronia berry, currant, cherries and peaches, they are handed over to the purchase stations in Gracanica, Obilic and Urosevac. Next to the purchase stations in the factory they have cooperation with over purchase stations where certain people bring their products or gathered forest fruits; wild strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, Cornelian cherry, Blackthorn, rosehips and mushrooms; True morels, Chanterelle, Penny Buns.

According to the Gasi, the factory exports to almost every country in Europe, mostly to Germany and Austria. They are working with companies from Serbia as well, but that is difficult because of the laws and the paperwork.

- Prices in Serbia were better in Serbian then in EU - said Gasi, who is happy how company works.

He admits that its not easy to run this job. - Every begging is difficult, the works has grown and developed, especially since 2004, when i applied with the project to USAID and i managed to get the grant, my idea was to hire as much people as possible, everybody who was interested in working with raspberry would get the seedlings, which we imported from Poland, class "Polka" - said Gasi, saying that the raspberry plantation of 30 ares can bring profit of 10.000 per year. 

There is a lot of work in from of this young man, the factory which will be one of the most modern in the Europe, he started building last year in May, and it should be finished, but there are lots of problems.

- Object base is 25m x 27m, it was predicted with the project for a factory to run on solar energy, solar system only is worth between 220 to 250.000 euros. Electricity is making everyday work difficult, first thing that would ease up the worries is the aggregate which costs 20.000 euros - adds Gasi while he shows us the ares that needs to be finished, kitchen, dressing rooms and bathrooms, separate for male and females. Service for wheelchairs is planed by the project because Gasi plans that workers with disability can work in his company and make some income.

On the question what kind of boss is he, the workers said that there is no hierarchy and that "the boss works more than they do, he gives example with his discipline and work, taking care about their needs.

It is interesting that these workers have separate transportation for males and females, even in the plantations they are working in different parts, he said that it is necessary because they are of different religions and beliefs, taking care not to hurt anyone's dignity while having a laugh, and they should not be embarrassed from each other because they are working in the greatest heats during the year.

During our visit to Gasa, he was very polite and a great person to talk to, even though he may have not completely understood what brought us to his factory.

- Many people have the existential problem in these days, especially the young, everybody wants to work, and you can not life from help, they need job and i need a good and disciplined worker - simply answered Gasi.

(Telegraf.co.uk / S.S.)