10.12.2021
NEW RESTRICTIONS ON ENTERING ROMANIA
Romania has introduced new travel restrictions and isolation measures for those entering the country as part of authorities' efforts to prevent a new health crisis following the outbreak of the Omicron strain.
The new travel rules will apply from today until January 8 and are aimed at preventing the transmission of the virus during the winter holidays. These include: evidence of a negative test for Covid-19 and quarantine for unvaccinated passengers coming from places at epidemiological risk. From 20 December, passenger location forms will be applied to improve the tracking of infections.
Places such as shops, cafes, malls and restaurants can now be open until 22:00, which is one hour longer than before, and people can enter without a vaccination certificate, but with proof of a negative Covid -19 test. Masks are no longer needed in crowded open public places, and for key winter holidays such as Christmas Eve and New Year, restrictions on working hours have been virtually removed.
Romania, with a population of about 19 million people, faced a catastrophic situation in October and November and has so far confirmed three cases of Omicron infection, which is thought to be more contagious than the previous strain of the virus. All three cases were found in people who came to Bucharest from South Africa in late November.
10.12.2021
CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUPPORT FROM EUROPEAN FUNDS
Consultancy Center - Berkovitsa provides up-to-date information on financial support from European funds. Farmers can apply for three measures under the Rural Development Program. The selection of projects for increasing the citizen participation in the processes of implementation and monitoring of policies and legislation under OP "Good Governance" is forthcoming. All currently open procedures and the necessary documents can be viewed in the Information System for Management and Monitoring of European Union Funds in Bulgaria (UMIS2020).
Registered farmers, as well as producer groups or organizations that have been engaged in the processing of agricultural products without interruption for the last 36 months, may receive support to improve their overall performance. The funds are provided under sub-measure 4.2 "Investments in processing/marketing of agricultural products" of measure 4 "Investments in tangible assets" of the Rural Development Program for the period 2014-2020 (BG06RDNP001-4.015). The total amount of the grant under the procedure is BGN 387,164,028.74 - from European funds BGN 347,511,750.34 and BGN 39,652,278.40 national co-financing.
The business plan of a project must provide for eligible costs of at least BGN 29,337, and the maximum amount reaches BGN 5,867,400. Applicants can use the funds to purchase land, buildings and premises intended for production activities, to purchase new ones. machinery, equipment and facilities necessary for the improvement of the production process for processing and marketing, as well as their installation, for the purchase of specialized vehicles for the transport of raw materials or finished products used and manufactured by the enterprise, and machines used for in-house and in-plant transport, which move only on the territory of the enterprise and are intended for carrying out specific activities in it. Investments in the construction and modernization of laboratories, the acquisition of software related to processing, know-how, patent rights and licenses, trademark registration and processes are eligible.
Financial support is expected to strengthen the link between producer and processor in the production of fruit and vegetables and essential oils and in animal husbandry.
The deadline for submitting project proposals is February 25, 2022.
BGN 24,447,500.00 grants from the European Union Reimbursement Instrument are provided for active farmers aged 18 to 40. Project proposals are promoted with activities in the sectors "Animal Husbandry" and "Fruits and Vegetables", farms that are certified for organic production, farms with investments in innovative technologies - innovative production technologies, digital technologies for production and organization in agriculture, renewable energy sources and automation of work processes in agricultural production, including irrigation systems and approaches implemented through the European Innovation Partnership, leading to job creation. The support is under sub-measure 6.1 "Start-up aid for young farmers" of measure 6 "Development of farms and enterprises" of the RDP 2014 - 2020. Financial aid per applicant is not more than the BGN equivalent of 25,000 euros, which is paid to two stages EUR 12,500 - within two months after the conclusion of the administrative contract, the rest - when the correct implementation of the business plan is established. Documents can be submitted until February 28, 2022.
BGN 39,116,000 have also been provided by the European Union's Recovery Instrument to support small farms with an economic size between EUR 2,000 and EUR 7,999 standard production volume. The aim is to support them in the activities of modernization and technological renewal, in the efficient use of resources, in the measures for safe working conditions, the use of renewable energy, in the transition to the circular and bioeconomy. Priority is given to the sectors "Animal Husbandry", "Essential Oil Crops" and "Fruits and Vegetables", organic farms. The support is distributed through sub-measure 6.3 "Start-up aid for the development of small farms" of measure 6 "Development of farms and enterprises" of the RDP 2014-2020 (BG06RDNP001-6.012).
The total amount of financial aid for one candidate is not more than BGN 29,337. The first payment in the amount of BGN 19,558 is made within two months after the conclusion of the administrative contract, the rest - after the implementation of the business plan. Project proposals can be submitted until March 2, 2022.
Non-profit legal entities with public benefit activities and the National Representative Organizations of Employers and Employees have the opportunity to be assisted in activities to increase civic participation in the processes of implementation and monitoring of policies and legislation (BG05SFOP001-2.025). The funds are provided through the Operational Program "Good Governance", and project proposals are accepted until January 17, 2022.
All application documents and information are published at https://eumis2020.government.bg/bg/s/Procedure/Active
10.12.2021
THE EC POSTPONED THE EVALUATION OF BULGARIA'S RECOVERY PLAN
The European Commission has approved a second one-month extension of the deadline for assessing Bulgaria's economic recovery plan. This was announced by a spokesman for the commission at a press conference in response to a question.
It is usual to have a dialogue with the countries on the presented plans, but I will not go into details, because the EC does not have this habit, the spokesman explained. The EC initially approved a one-month extension of the deadline for submitting the Bulgarian plan. We have now agreed on another month's postponement, the spokesman said.
Thus, the commission gives a total of two additional months to evaluate the plan, which provides an opportunity to clear all issues, to exchange additional information, he added.
The extension of the deadline for evaluating the plans is provided for in EU rules, the spokesman said.
The plan was submitted to the Commission on 15 October, and the evaluation period is generally two months and expires on 15 December.
09.12.2021
HOW MANY PEOPLE RECEIVED HEATING ASSISTANCE
Over 261 thousand people received heating assistance for the five months of the heating season 2021-2022.
This was said by the Minister of Labor and Social Policy Galab Donev during the regular blitz control.
Minister Donev clarified that the aid for this heating season has been increased by 6.8 percent and its respective amount is BGN 523.55. individuals and families at risk and in need of assistance.
According to Minister Donev, 27,349 people were supported with this one-time financial support. He pointed out that as of today, these BGN 300 are being paid.
"Most of the heating aid was used in the districts of Plovdiv, Blagoevgrad and Vratsa," said Minister Donev. He reminded that the one-time financial support of BGN 300 was provided through an additional transfer from the central budget in the amount of BGN 15 million and covers all persons who due to the increase of the determined differentiated income by up to BGN 30 did not fall into the scope of targeted heating aid.
09.12.2021
THE BEST EMPLOYERS FOR 2021
13 employers were awarded during the forum "Employer of the Year - 2021" of the Employment Agency, whose eighteenth edition was held on December 7 in online format.
This year, too, the most active partners of the Employment Agency from all over the country were classified into 2 categories: "Employers with a significant contribution to providing employment to the unemployed in the regional labor market" and "Succeeded together".
In the category "Employers with a significant contribution to the employment of unemployed persons in the regional labor market" was awarded one employer from the territory of the nine regional directorates of the Employment Agency in the country:
- For the region of Blagoevgrad - "Top Fashion" Ltd. The company specializes in the production of women's boutique clothing and trade in the country and abroad. During the Kovid pandemic, as well as any need for staff, the employer seeks contact with the labor office. The period January - September 2021 has hired 35 unemployed, 34 of whom are still working after 6 months from the conclusion of employment contracts.
- For the region of Burgas - ZMM Nova Zagora AD. The company is among the brightest representatives of the machine building sector in Bulgaria with export-oriented products. The company employs 120 people and despite the Kovid crisis and the reduced volume of orders, the staff remains the same number by participating in the measure 60/40. The company is also a factor in the region for the rapid inclusion of young people in the labor market.
- For the region of Varna - "Corner" Ltd. The company is a key employer in the municipality of Kavarna, and its activities are in the field of hotels and restaurants. Since the beginning of the year the employer has announced 40 vacancies on the primary market and has provided employment to 35 unemployed people, 25 of whom are from disadvantaged groups in the labor market.Despite the seasonal nature of its activities, it managed to maintain the employment of 330 workers and employees during the Kovid crisis.
- For the region of Lovech - "Mizia 96" AD. The company is a leading manufacturer of men's clothing in Bulgaria with a staff of 820. It announces 174 vacancies in the region and employs 55 unemployed people in the primary market. 13 of them are long-term unemployed, 6 - young people, 12 - unemployed over 55 years of age, as well as a person with permanent disabilities.
- For the region of Montana - "BKK - 95" Ltd. The company specializes in cold metal processing. Manufactures components for the furniture industry and metal furniture. He works actively with the European market, Great Britain and Canada. In 2021, the company provides employment to 20 unemployed in the primary market, and through subsidized employment - to 10 people. The employer has kept the employment of 151 people, applying for the measure 60/40.
- For the region of Plovdiv - "Pamporovo" AD. The employer is key for the region in the field of tourism and maintains the entire ski area in the resort complex. For the tourist season 2020-2021 the company hires 30 unemployed people. For the current winter 40 vacancies have been announced during the season, and 5 unemployed people have been employed so far, and through measure 60/40 and RMS 429 the employer has kept the employment of 476 workers.
- For the region of Ruse - "A. L. FILTER LTD. The company is the largest for the production of automotive filters in Ruse and the region, part of A.L. Group. It has provided sustainable employment to 70 unemployed people, 53 of whom are from disadvantaged groups on the labor market. It hires unemployed people from remote settlements, where the demand for the non-subsidized labor market is minimal, such as Slivo Pole, Vetovo, Kubrat and Byala.
- For the region of Sofia - "Van Holding" Ltd. The company with the trade name "Fantastico" owns over 40 supermarkets in Sofia. The Sofia Labor Bureau "Vazrazhdane" has been working with the company for more than 10 years. In the first nine months of 2021, for the region of Sofia, Botevgrad and Ihtiman, the employer has announced a total of 958 vacancies on the primary market, for which unemployed people from the labor offices in these cities are targeted.
- For the region of Haskovo - TPP "Maritsa 3" AD. The company is one of the first built and still operating, engaged in electricity production in the country. Despite the difficulties over the years, manages to optimize and resume its activities in 2021 A total of 145 people were employed, 77 were employed during the pandemic, 73 of whom were from disadvantaged groups in the labor market, and the subsidiary Maritza Energy EOOD resumed operations, where 27 more jobseekers were hired. on the primary labor market through the mediation of the labor office.
The category "Succeeded together" distinguishes examples from the joint activities of business representatives, job seekers and labor offices in the country. There are four employers who equally deserved the prize for the year:
- "Hospice 50 Plus" Ltd. The company was established in 2009 and deals with social care with accommodation for the elderly and people with physical disabilities. Since 2016 she has been a partner of the Labor Office in Pernik, with the support of which she hires an unemployed woman with secondary education, insecure, underestimating the opportunities and qualities she possesses, sharing the need to start work as soon as possible. At the moment she continues to work in the company.
- Municipality of Troyan. The municipality is a key employer for the region and for the labor office in Troyan, with the help of which it hires an unemployed person with secondary education for the Nauka 1870 Community Center, a representative of an unequal group on the labor market - "people with disabilities". The person is employed on a permanent employment contract as a "librarian" and continues to work in the community center until now.
- "Maria Victoria" Ltd. The employer is a manufacturer of electrical and household appliances with 22 employees. He has been using the services of the Haskovo Labor Office since 2004. With his support, he has been hiring a long-term unemployed person with a primary education, a number of personal obstacles to starting a job and a difficult financial situation. The person still works in the company and is included in the service "Consultation and mentoring after starting work".
- Nika-G 2021 EOOD. The activity of the company is "Restaurants and fast food restaurants". With the partnership of the Labor Office in Blagoevgrad, she provides employment for a discouraged young woman without family support, who has not worked since 2017, raises her child alone and is on social assistance. To date, she continues to work in the company, being included in the service of the Employment Agency "Consultation and mentoring after starting work".
09.12.2021
EXTENDED DEADLINES FOR APPLICATION UNDER MEASURE 60/40
The Employment Agency informs the employers who wish to receive funds under the measure 60/40 for the months of November and December 2021 and meet the conditions of the Council of Ministers № 151/03.07.2020, (amended and supplemented with the Council of Ministers № 322/07.10.2021) that the deadline for submitting application documents has been extended as follows:
- For November - the documents are submitted no later than 31.12.2021.
- For December - the documents are submitted no later than January 31, 2022.
The Employment Agency draws attention to the fact that employers must comply with the set deadlines for application, as the documents submitted after them are not subject to verification and evaluation by the commissions in the labor offices.
The change in the application deadlines was made on the basis of §6 and §7 of the Additional Provisions to the Council of Ministers № 322/2021 and in connection with the decision of the European Commission to extend the EU Temporary Framework for Economic Support under COVID- 19, by the order of which the funds under the measure 60/40 are provided.
The updated materials for information of employers and application procedure, containing the conditions, requirements, procedure and manner of application, are published on the website of the Employment Agency, in the section "Financial incentives to maintain employment". Those who are acquainted with the published documents can get additional information in any directorate "Labor Office" in the country.
09.12.2021
THE IDEAL SPACE FOR A HOME OFFICE
Remote work is here to stay, but even at home we must continue to pay attention to disinfection and care for our work space. If you have not yet built a comfortable and appropriate space in your home for work, now is the perfect time to pay special attention to it and learn how to keep it clean.
The first thing you will need to do is choose the place where you will set up your "home office". Various factors will help you make a successful choice. Try to organize it in an isolated and quiet place in the house, where you will not be interrupted often and where there is good ventilation. Ideally, the work area should be located next to a window to provide you with fresh air.
Ventilating the space in which you work is essential. The air should be refreshed every morning for 10 or 15 minutes and then several times throughout the working day.
You should avoid facing the light so as not to damage your eyesight, and with your back to it to avoid reflections on the computer screen.
When working long hours in front of a computer, it is important to maintain a good posture and try to avoid bad habits that cause back or neck pain. To achieve this, you need to have a wide table of medium height and preferably of wood, on which you feel comfortable and on which you can place the computer, keyboard, mouse, headphones, notebook, pen and water. Make sure it's all at your fingertips. This way you will avoid getting up often and wasting time looking for items or documents that you will need.
Provide an ergonomic chair with wheels that can be adapted to your body (height, arms, backrest, etc.). This element of your workspace is key to taking care of your back. It is recommended to rest your legs on the floor, keep your back straight without tension and keep your hands relaxed on the table or armrests of the chair.
Maintaining the order of all elements of the workspace, cleaning and disinfecting the table, chair and equipment that you are in constant contact with, such as computers and mobile phones, is key to maintaining a healthy environment. 400 times more bacteria accumulate on the keyboard of our computer than in the toilet. For this reason, it is vital to clean it frequently with a damp disinfectant cloth and to vacuum all the dirt that accumulates between the keys with a hand-held vacuum cleaner.
Pay special attention to decorations and other elements that ensure your productivity and efficiency, including plants, motivational phrases on the wall or paintings that fill you with vitality and positivity. Other decorative items such as shelves or boxes can be really useful for storing items or work documents and they are generally not distracting.
The color of the room will also help you in this process, as light tones usually work very well. Therefore, white, beige and pearl gray can be good choices. It is enough to apply these simple tips to easily build the perfect space for remote work.
09.12.2021
THE BUSINESS WILL TRAIN TEACHERS AND STUDENTS IN A NATIONAL PROGRAM
Students and teachers will get acquainted with the innovations in the technology sector by participating in seminars and practical trainings organized by the business. The initiative includes 147 state and municipal schools, which will receive nearly BGN 300,000 under the National Program "Business Teaches".
Representatives of enterprises will participate in the learning process in 122 schools. The specialists will acquaint the children with the practical applicability of the technologies in the subjects they study. The aim is to motivate students to study professions and profiles in the field of entrepreneurship and STEM competencies. BGN 232,294 are provided for this module.
This year, 155 teachers from 25 schools will increase their knowledge and skills in a real work environment. Teachers will get acquainted with the development of technology and modern requirements of the labor market. A total of BGN 67,671 has been allocated for these activities.
Funds from the program are provided for business trips of guest lecturers, for the provision of materials and consumables for training and for the purchase or rental of technical equipment for training purposes. The number of companies that have refused state funding and will participate in the trainings free of charge is increasing.
The expansion of "Business Teaches" provides an opportunity to include schools that teach students in primary and lower secondary school. The companies from the IT sector are also most interested in the topics "Robotics", "3D printing" and "Virtual reality". More professional and specialized high schools work together with companies in the field of tourism, accounting, entrepreneurship, marketing, construction and others.
A list of schools approved for funding under the NP "Business Teaches" can be seen HERE.
09.12.2021
FROM TODAY THEY PAY THE HEATING AID
As of today, the payment of social assistance for heating in the post offices of Bulgarian Posts EAD starts.
The funds are paid once, according to the way chosen by the people - by bank transfer or through post offices, from which they can be received until December 23, inclusive.
Their collection cannot be postponed until next year, warn Bulgarian Posts.
The assistance provided by the Social Assistance Agency is granted in order to overcome the consequences of the increased fuel prices, as well as the emergency epidemic situation.
08.12.2021
HOW WILL THE WORK ON THE HOLIDAYS BE PAID?
Due to the coincidence of December 25 and 26, 2021 with the weekends and January 1, 2022 with Saturday, the upcoming Christmas and New Year holidays will be a total of three days more.
It should be borne in mind, however, that a minimum double wage is paid only for work on public holidays, and if the work on these days is overtime, the wage is fourfold. This was announced by the press center of the Executive Agency "General Labor Inspectorate" (GLI).
For the work of the so-called Absentee days, which compensate for the coincidence of holidays with weekends, a higher salary is paid only if the work is overtime, an increase of 75%.
For those working under an employment contract on a non-standard working day, working on a holiday, holiday or absenteeism is always overtime. Extraordinary these days is the work for the workers in the daily reporting of working hours. In these cases, the employer must assign the work with a special overtime order issued at least 24 hours in advance, which the employee is aware of against a signature.
If the employer has introduced summary reporting of working hours, the work on holidays and working days, laid down according to a schedule, is not overtime and is not paid with an increase.
In this case, workers are entitled to a higher wage only for their work on public holidays, which must be at least double, added the GLI.
