This report reviews the main results of the first lifelong learning survey in Bulgaria based on the 2003 ad hoc module of Eurostat’s labour force survey. The findings indicate significantly lower participation levels than in the other EU Member States. Some 80% of the Bulgarian population aged 15
Bulgaria’s statutory national minimum wage is determined by a decree of the Council of Ministers, in consultation with the social partners. However, collective agreements at sectoral or company level may set a minimum wage that is higher than the legal minimum. Against a background of economic
Undeclared work is a serious concern for employer organisations and trade unions in Bulgaria, particularly because of the risks it poses both for businesses and workers. In the last few years, the social partners have increased their joint efforts to combat undeclared work through various
In September 2012, Bularia’s National Statistical Institute published its report, Participation of the population aged 25–64 in lifelong learning (Analysis of the main results of the adult education survey 2011) [1], conducted in December 2011 using the Eurostat methodology common to all EU Member
A survey, Equality and discrimination in the workplace (in Bulgarian), [1] was commissioned by Bulgaria’s Ministry of Labour and Social Policy (MLSP [2]) and the Commission for Protection against discrimination (KZD [3]). It was part of a project, Progress Towards Equality: National Effective and
In March 2012, new research claimed youth unemployment in Bulgaria was much higher than figures from the National Statistical Institute (NSI [1]) suggested. The findings came from a report by research agency Mediana [2], which specialises in political, marketing and social surveys. It presented the
A recent study by the Bulgarian Industrial Association (BIA [1]) revealed worrying skills shortages in the country (BIA, 2010). The study looked at the trends in educational and vocational qualification structure in Bulgaria in 2005–2009, and their impact on the labour force at national, sector and
On 6 June 2012, the government and social partners signed the First Job National Agreement (in Bulgarian, 205Kb PDF) [1] which is part of a national initiative called Jobs for Young People in Bulgaria 2012–2013. The agreement aims to create new opportunities for young people in the labour market and
On 8–9 March, an international conference called ‘Jobs and incomes – A better deal for Bulgaria’ was organised by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC [1]), the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB [2]) and the Confederation of Labour Podkrepa (Podkrepa CL [3]).
Bulgarian state-owned Maritza East Mines [1] is the country’s largest mining complex, and the main source of lignite coal for three thermal power plants; state-owned Maritsa Iztok 2, Maritsa Iztok 3 (which US Contour Global recently acquired from Italy's Enel), and AES Galabovo (owned by US company
On 15 November 2011 at a meeting of the National Council for Tripartite Cooperation (NCTC), Finance Minister Simeon Djjankov presented a package of proposed reforms relating to the state administration. The reform measures include: