Bulgarian Trade Unions Defend Disgraced Social Security Head

NOI Director, Hristina Mitreva, is accused of swelling the budget deficit by forecasting unrealistically high levels of revenues from social security. Photo by BGNES

The Bulgarian trade union Confederation of Independent Syndicates, KNSB, stands firm behind the Director of the National Social Security Institute, NOI, Hristina Mitreva, in her desire to remain at the post.

In a declaration, issued Tuesday, KNSB say they follow with "bewilderment the media use to launch an attack against Mitreva and to cast doubt in her professionalism and point out the attempts of the Ministry of Finance to put all the blame on her and escape responsibility for the planning of the revenues under the 2011 consolidated fiscal program are unacceptable.

"It is a well-known fact that the Ministry and the Minister of Finance always have the final say in outlining the parameters of social security revenues," the declaration reads.
The union further criticizes attempts to oust Mitreva on the grounds she is in retirement age, and stress citizens have the right of a personal decision as to when to retire.

Also on Tuesday, Finance Minister, Simeon Djankov is expected to inform the Members of the Parliament from the ruling Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria, GERB, party about his Monday conversation with the NOI Director and her possible removal from the post.

Last Friday, Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, stated he will ask the Parliament to fire the NOI Director because of flaws in the projected 2011 income in the social security sector, while in a Sunday interview for Nova Televizia TV he said he will ask her to retire.

It is expected that after the meeting GERB MPs will issue their official position on the case, which will be crucial for Mitreva's future since her post is is a term one, and is decided on by the Parliament.

On Monday, NOI issued an official statement that Mitreva has no intentions of resigning or retiring.

The main accusation against Mitreva is the swelling the budget deficit by forecasting unrealistically high levels of revenues from social security.

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