Bulgarian Trade Unions Seek Urgent Increase in Minimum Wage, Pensions

Bulgaria's Podkrepa Labor Confederation argues that the minimum wage should increase to BGN 330 as of October, alongside a 15% increase in pensions. Photo by Sofia Photo Agency

According to Bulgaria's Podkrepa Labor Confederation, the minimum wage should increase from BGN 290 to BGN 330 as of October and pensions should grow by 15% and by another 10% from January.

The trade union will present its demand at a Monday sitting of its executive council.

The Podkrepa Labor Confederation bases its proposal on the increased prices of electricity, central heating, fuel and natural gas.

According to the trade union, by the end of the month, prices of first necessity goods, most of all foods, are expected to increase, pushing up prices of a range of other items.

This is why Podkrepa insists that he National Council for Tripartite Cooperatio, which brings together the government, trade union confederations and employer organizations, should be summoned as soon as possible.

According to Mika Zaikova, financial expert at "Podkrepa", the trade union will back the proposal of the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB) for allocating additional financial assistance for the poorest due to the higher prices of water, fuel, central heating, etc.

However, they do not accept the CITUB's proposal that the increased minimum wage should enter into force on January 1.

According to "Podkrepa", the increase must not be postponed for January 2013 because the inflation rate will increase as soon as August.

The trade union confederations predict an inflation rate of 6-7%.

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