Bulgarian Employers, Trade Unions to Protest Planned Power Price Hike

More than 1000 firms will participate in a protest against the planned hike of electricity prices for businesses, which will take place in 28 Bulgarian cities on Wednesday.

The largest protest will be held in the capital Sofia with 5000-6000 people expected to attend the demonstration in front of the building of the Council of Ministers.

The trade unions will also support the employers' organisations in the protest against the planned hike of electricity prices, which is expected to enter into force on August 1.

The business demands the postponement of the so-called “duty to society” tax until the new year, which will provide institutions with more time to consider the adoption of new measures.

The measures should be aimed at introducing savings to the energy sector and decreasing the deficit of the National Electricity Company (NEK).

The Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (KEVR) devised the imposition of the “duty to society” tax as for nearly two years the businesses have paid a price, which was nearly two and a half times higher than the one paid by households.

Businesses also retain their right to halt production for certain periods of time depending on the specifics of their activities.

The Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association (BICA) expressed its firm opposition towards solving the problems in the energy sector at the expense of the industrial production.

BICA foresees the loss of jobs, bankruptcies and loss of competitiveness, which would reflect on the consumption of energy and the revenues to the budget.

The employers' organisations announced themselves in favour of a deep reform in the energy sector by the government.

The business representatives have no information on the exact increase of the prices, but are fearing 15-20 % hike.

At the end of June, more than 1000 companies held protests against the planned hike by halting production for one hour.

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