Bulgarian Clerics Launch 1st Trade Union

The clergy and church employees in Bulgaria now have their first ever trade union. File photo

Bulgarian clerics and church employees have founded a trade union, which became a member of the National Labor Confederation "Podkrepa" (Support).

The news was announced by "Podkrepa" Monday, saying this is the first ever clergy trade union in the country and it joins an organization composed of 36 regional trade unions, 30 federations and national syndicates, and 4 associated organizations.

At the end of November, the clergy from the northern Vratsa Eparchy voiced outrage against the Bulgarian Holy Synod over not receiving salaries and benefits. The bank accounts of the Eparchy are blocked due to staggering debt and the Eparchy Council has been forced to sell church properties in order to meet the needs of the local clergy.

"Podkrepa" say in some eparchies high-ranking clerics demonstrate wealth such as expensive automobiles, while other priests receive less than the minimum wage in the country, and the discrepancy stirs lots of tensions among the above.

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