RIGHT TO WORK AND PROTECTION OF MENTAL HEALTH IN THE ALBANIAN CONSTITUTION

Health is undoubtedly the supreme good for every person, but work also occupies an important dimension in life, as it gives the individual the opportunity to live in a dignified manner.For this reason, health and work are elevated to fundamental rights, as such inviolable.In particular, as regards Albania, health protection is provided for in Article 55 of the Constitution.This article goes to guarantee the health of the person in a reductive way, explicitly including, in compliance with the principle of equality, the right to health care by the State, and the right to health insurance according to the procedure established by law.Likewise, the right to work is provided for in the constitution, which explicitly provides for the right of every individual to earn a living by carrying out lawful work of their own choice or acceptance.Furthermore, the freedom to choose the profession, the workplace and the professional qualification system is envisaged.Although the link between work is health and inextricable, this correlation is not provided for in the constitution.Likewise, the protection of mental health in the workplace is not provided for in any article.Protecting mental health in the workplace is very important as work can have a positive influence on mental health, at the same time poor conditions in the workplace can be a source of stress and consequently have a negative impact not only on life of the individual but also on mental health.Likewise, work can amplify social aspects such as discrimination and inequalities and negatively affect the mental state of the working population.The object of this study is to analyse the interaction that these two fundamental rights have with each other and how they are guaranteed in the Albanian constitution.