08.10.2021
COMPANIES ARE LOOKING FOR THE MOST PHARMACISTS AND HEALTH WORKERS
The number of job advertisements in September remains at the levels of July and August. In the past month there has been a slight increase in offers by 0.6% - according to the regular analysis of published job advertisements in the leading specialized sites in our country, carried out by JobTiger.
On an annual basis, the level of ads is 49% higher than reported in September 2020. The largest increase in ads last month was the sector "Health and Pharmacy", with an increase of 21%. The reason for this is the seasonal demand for medical staff for positions outside Bulgaria.
Next in growth is the sector "Administrative and service activities", where the number of ads has increased by 12%. This is the only industry in which in September there is an increase in offers on each of the job sites.
It is followed by the sectors "Logistics and Transport" (8%), "Trade and Sales" (7%), "Marketing and Advertising" (5.3%), "Accounting, Auditing, Finance" (5%), " Construction ”(3%) and“ Production ”(0.4%).
The biggest drop in ads during the month was in the hotel and restaurant sector (-12%). For the first time in 2021 we see a decline in ads in the "IT" sector: the number of proposals in September decreased by 5%, but on an annual basis it is 128% higher than reported in September 2020.
What kind of staff is needed in the "IT" sector?
With the growing popularity of the "IT" sector in recent years, we see a tendency for more and more people to focus on professional development in this industry and to take positions as junior professionals and interns in this sector.
The distribution of advertisements in the IT sector by qualification level in September shows that only 10.4% of the proposals are for positions for junior specialists or interns. The largest share of ads for experts and senior specialists with experience in the field (84.2%), and the remaining 5.4% are positions for management and management level of qualification, the analysis shows.
Share distribution of announcements by sectors
In September, it was as follows: the "Trade and Sales" sector took the lead with a 23% share of the total number of ads. It is followed by the sectors "IT" (16%), "Manufacturing" (15%), "Hotels and restaurants" (12%), "Administrative and service activities" (10%), "Logistics and transport" (10%), Construction (5%), Health and Pharmacy (4%), Accounting, Auditing, Finance (4%), Marketing and Advertising (3%) and Art (1%).
Work from home
There is still an increase in offers of work from home and/or telecommuting. In September, they increased by 6% and accounted for 11.3% of the total number of job postings.
Offering by cities
The share of job advertisements in Sofia continues to grow, amounting to 47% of the total in September. The share distribution of the announcements for the other leading regional cities is as follows: Plovdiv (10%), Varna (8%), Burgas (3.3%), Ruse (3%) and Stara Zagora (2.5%). Together, they account for 74% of all proposals in the country.
On a monthly basis, the number of ads in these cities has increased by 2%, mainly due to the increased number of ads in Sofia and Plovdiv. The dynamics of the proposals in each of the leading cities is as follows: Sofia (6%), Plovdiv (3%), Varna (-8%), Burgas (-4%), Ruse (-7%) and Stara Zagora (-4%).
07.10.2021
THE EU PROVIDES UP TO BGN 196,000 FOR MORE GRADUATES FROM VULNERABLE GROUPS
Schools, universities and NGOs will be able to apply with projects that encourage young people from vulnerable groups to complete higher education.
The approved proposals will be financed with amounts from BGN 100,000 to BGN 196,000. This is set in the selection criteria for the operation "Support of vulnerable groups for access to higher education" of the operational program "Science and Education for Smart Growth" 2014-2020 which have been published for public discussion, announced the press center of the Ministry of Education and Science.
Project proposals can support students from vulnerable groups to complete their secondary education and continue their studies at a university. Successful integration and adaptation in the academic life of first-year students from vulnerable groups will also be supported.
Among the activities that can be funded are, for example, additional training of students from vulnerable groups in the second stage of high school in order to successfully pass the mandatory and additional state matriculation exams and apply to university. High school students will be provided with a one-time financial aid to cover the costs of application fees, travel and accommodation when taking the exams at the university. Lump sums will be awarded for semester fees and accommodation for the first academic year within the project.
With European funds, mentors can be provided for freshmen from vulnerable groups. They will act as mentors, helping the adaptation and socialization of new students. They will guide them in the academic environment, will support and monitor their participation in the educational process - regular participation in classes during the first year and more.
The draft methodology is also published at the following address: http://opnoir.bg/?go=page&pageId=362 in the section "Procedures / Procedures under public discussion" on the website of the Executive Agency "Education Program".
By 12.10.2021 (inclusive) the interested parties can send proposals and opinions to the Managing Authority to the e-mail address: infosf@mon.bg.
05.10.2021
HOW TO LEARN TO SAVE SOME OF YOUR BASIC EXPENSES
There are three main items on which people tend to spend the most money. If you learn to save some of your basic expenses, in years to come you will enjoy a quiet old age. You can even save enough to retire early, start your own business, make a profitable investment or go on vacation more often.
The cost of housing, transport and food is the "invisible thief" that makes many people live from paycheck to paycheck or fall into debt. Are you familiar with this situation? Of course, we cannot exclude these costs, but we can reduce them to a reasonable level without depriving ourselves of a good standard of living.
Try to spend less in these three main areas and you will be surprised to find out how much more you can save. If you move to a smaller and cheaper apartment, go to work on foot, by bike, scooter or public transport and cook more at home and bring food to work, it will immediately have a positive impact on your wallet.
In order to achieve a "healthy" level of saving, but without becoming stingy and deprived of basic amenities, you need to show a certain amount of creativity. The goal is not to lower your standard of living, for example by buying cheap and low-quality food, but to learn to live more practically and even healthier, but at a lower cost.
Housing
Most people pay too much for their homes. There is one rule to follow when choosing a new home. It should cost up to 25% of your net monthly income. If you live alone, consider whether you will feel comfortable in a smaller home that is closer to your job. If you are married, you can move to a cheaper neighborhood, keeping the large area.
Whether you choose to live in rent or pay for your own apartment, follow this advice so that you do not suffer from financial turmoil. If your income is too low, it may be time to consider retraining, changing jobs, or another source of additional funding.
Even billionaire Warren Buffett lives in a modest house, which makes up only 0.000078% of our wealth. The American investor, businessman and philanthropist is considered the greatest investor in the history of modern financial markets. Buffett himself calls this purchase "the third best investment I've ever made."
Transport
In addition to the home, transportation is a real "bottomless pit" for money. The car is certainly an indispensable convenience, but we do not always need it every day. In many cases, people can get to work by public transport or other more environmentally friendly means, such as a bicycle or electric scooter.
It is important to have a safe car. When choosing a new car, do not be enslaved to a particular brand, but look at all available brands and models that meet your requirements. Do not forget to pay attention to the economy, and if you buy a second-hand - do not need expensive repairs.
Of course, it is best to be able to pay for the desired car immediately. If this is still not possible, you should be able to pay it off in less than three or four years, and the contributions do not seriously affect your budget. And when you get the dream car, use it wisely to save fuel.
Food
A visit to a restaurant can cost as much as a few family dinners at home. Frequent eating out can be as costly as you can afford. The good news is that it can easily be drastically reduced. You don't have to suffer for your social life - just invite your friends home more often.
Even if you don't have time to cook twisted specialties every day, there are countless ideas for easy and quick meals to prepare quickly after work. Use the strategy of restaurants - prepare preforms in the freezer (kneaded minced meat, marinated meat, frozen dough, chopped vegetables), with which you can quickly cook something that usually takes more time.
Try to cook for a few meals and choose dishes that the whole family loves. Some resourceful hosts use the weekend to cook for the coming week, enclosing more hot food in jars. So it lasts longer, and the family has a variety of meals every day.
Even if you follow only some of these tips, you will soon find that with minimal effort you can save an unexpectedly large part of your salary. And use the money saved for a sensible investment that will pay off over time, giving you a bright financial future.
05.10.2021
UNICREDIT BULBANK: LOW INTEREST RATES WILL REMAIN IN THE MEDIUM TERM
Despite rising inflation, banks expect low interest rates to remain low in the medium term. Tsvetanka Mincheva, Chairman of the Management Board and Chief Executive Officer of UniCredit Bulbank, commented on this at a meeting with journalists.
She pointed out that the pressure of rising prices provoked people to look for alternative investments, and more and more often these are savings structured products. Mincheva believes that due to the low yield on deposits, such investments are made.
"Since 2003, Pioneer funds have been offering their products through UniCredit Bulbank, and while in the beginning there was a minimum number of customers, last year their growth was 40%, and the amounts invested increased by 60%," she added.
Mincheva believes that a serious market for investment products has opened up and many investors are participating with small amounts, looking for options for medium-term and long-term investment.
Interest rate policy
According to her, the trend towards negative interest rates on deposits with individuals will not affect people whose savings are up to the guaranteed amount of BGN 196,000. She explained that the costs of the banks are related to the part that is above the guaranteed one, because it is the attracted deposits above the guaranteed level that make the banks super liquid, and the storage of money is related to the costs for them.
Mincheva is adamant that the Covid portfolio has responded steadily and sustainably, with expectations worse, but many borrowers are returning to normal levels of loan service.
Tsvetanka Mincheva confirmed that the banks are implementing measures in time.
"Those in the risk group are companies that, given the low base levels, take loans on the verge of return," she revealed, but is adamant that with the created credit models in a competitive environment, quality customers are eliminated.
According to her, the risk assessment methodology, especially in consumer lending, is being applied very carefully. Mincheva shared another impression that mortgages in Bulgaria and Central and Eastern Europe are developing at a good pace, with a better standard of living for more people to get their own homes.
Climate economy
"The transition to a new type of economy will not be easy, and for some industries it will probably be quite difficult. The regulations will become more and more and the business will have to adapt its activity to the new conditions ", pointed out Tsvetanka Mincheva.
She reminded that sustainable development goes through an assessment of the impact of business on the environment and clear indicators of what is acceptable and what is not.
"Our role as leading companies is to make this transition fair. We must not allow harm to people or companies, but together find a solution on how best to transform into more environmentally friendly solutions," said Mincheva.
According to her, banks and financial institutions are players in the economy that support this approach, especially since regulators require proactive action and will face a climate stress test by the end of next year.
Lenders must be prepared with data on how their balance sheets will be presented by 2050, and this affects the capital requirements, which will also reflect on the requirements for customers.
"Our role is important to have new valuation models - we will offer solutions to customers, and we will transform," said Mincheva.
She confirmed that for UniCredit Bulbank it is a priority to support clients and partners in their transition to sustainable business with a clear ESG strategy (for environmental, social and management practices - ed. note).
"We are ready to be with them when working with regulators, to share the risk, to look for different funding instruments, to encourage innovation. But we must be convinced that in the long run the company will have a real positive contribution to natural and social capital," said Tsvetanka Mincheva.
Strategic priorities
According to her, the first thing that is crucial for the banking sector is the speed of changing consumer habits and expectations, which is becoming faster in the market of new solutions.
The banker warned that anyone who failed to move with it would lose their competitive position.
"The second thing we should definitely point out when we talk about the development of the banking sector, of course, is the role of digitalization. The speed of change is important for the banks and those who will not adapt are doomed to failure," said Mincheva.
She said that over 90% of products and services can now be purchased remotely - via the Internet or telephone.
"This year we have a growth of 30% of mobile banking users and a 50% growth in the number of transfers - not only more customers use our mobile banking application, but they are also increasingly active," said the banker.
Mincheva is convinced that digitalization is an indisputable trend in the future of banking, but only in combination with the human factor.
"Therefore, the main focus for me in my new role is to make the bank a preferred place to work," commented the new CEO of UniCredit Bulbank.
Mincheva is of the opinion that business has its role to make Bulgaria a more attractive place for young people.
"According to economists, the demographic picture in the country is one of the most serious obstacles to economic development. The population of our country is decreasing by 50 thousand per year and this certainly puts everyone at risk of lack of skilled labor. Therefore, the only solution is to try to attract back the young people who have gone abroad by offering attractive conditions for work and development of professionals," said the banker.
05.10.2021
NEARLY 2,000 GRADUATES CAN START THEIR FIRST JOB UNDER THE “CAREER START” PROGRAM
Under the "Career Start" program, 1918 new jobs are announced. From October 4, 2021, young graduates with higher education can apply for jobs in 2022 in central departments and their territorial divisions in the country, the Employment Agency announced.
To participate in the “Career Start” program, applicants must be under the age of 29, not completed by October 29, 2021 inclusive, and have a higher education corresponding to that specified by the employer for the specific job. It is also required that the young people are registered with the labor office as unemployed or employed, job seekers, persons and do not have work experience in the acquired specialty of higher education.
This opportunity is realized by the Employment Agency according to the criteria and procedure for applying for the "Career Start" program approved by the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy. Through the Program, unemployed young people who have completed their higher education can, within 12 months, gain their first work experience, as well as professional experience, skills and practice in the acquired education, with which to start their career development.
The announced jobs in the state institutions are on the territory of the whole country, as nearly 685 of them are in the city of Sofia, over 140 in Plovdiv and Varna, about 110 in Ruse and Burgas, between 20 and 65 in the other regional centers, and in settlements Near the regional centers, nearly 400 jobs have been created in the local offices of ministries and agencies.
About 150 positions in different cities of the country are offered by the Ministry of Interior, the Employment Agency, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry and others. The Ministry of Education, the National Revenue Agency, the Social Assistance Agency, the National Social Security Institute, the Customs Agency, and the Executive Agency for Fisheries and Aquaculture are also included in the Program with more than 50 jobs across the country as future employers of young graduates. Jobs under the Program have also been announced by the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria, the Ombudsman of the Republic of Bulgaria, 17 ministries, 38 state, national and executive agencies, national and state institutes and commissions.
The jobs requested by the public services are for professions in almost all areas of the higher education system. The majority of young people are law graduates (over 200), economics, finance and accounting (over 100 jobs), social activities (about 70), administration and management (over 50), informatics and computer science (over 50), architecture, construction and geodesy (over 40), etc. Most of the positions are without a requirement for a professional field or specialty of the completed higher education, which gives a chance to all young people meeting the other conditions of the Program to choose and apply for the 3 most preferred among them. However, almost all employers have stated that applicants need to have an appropriate level of computer skills, and about 300 positions require specific foreign language competencies. There are also jobs (also over 300) for young people who do not have or cannot demonstrate digital or foreign language skills.
Applicants can submit their application documents for jobs throughout the country until October 29, 2021, including at the labor office where they are registered as employed or unemployed job seekers, or electronically through the form published on the website of the Employment Agency.
We recommend that young people before applying to get acquainted with the full list of advertised jobs in the procedure, procedure, conditions and necessary documents for application, which are published on the official website of the Employment Agency in the section "Career Start Program".
The same documents can be found on the information boards in all labor offices in the country, where applicants will receive the necessary assistance to apply, participate in an interview, support for territorial and/or professional mobility and other additional services, according to the Employment Agency.
04.10.2021
A NEW PLATFORM HELPS BULGARIAN STARTUPS WITH FUNDING
Funding up to EUR 50,000, business development consultations and contacts with potential partners on a global level can be obtained by Bulgarian start-up companies thanks to the newly created 5x Labs platform. Behind the idea are some of the co-founders of the first venture capital investment funds in Bulgaria - NEVEQ 1 and NEVEQ 2 and the first investment funds in Bulgaria, which operate on the principle of an open capital investment platform - Neo Ventures and Neo Gravity. They bring together dozens of "business angels" and experts at home and abroad, who choose whether to get involved and help a specific startup, opened by 5x Labs.
The initiative is also backed by the international consulting company EY (Ernst & Young), which will support entrepreneurs with mentoring and professional advice in the field of taxes, law, corporate finance and accountability. This is possible thanks to the EYnovation™ program, which helps start-up and fast-growing Bulgarian companies to develop their financial processes and prepare for the requirements of international markets.
The selection of startups is done in two phases - a preliminary review and official presentation of 5 selected business startups by their creators before a 5-member jury. According to the regulation, the composition of the jury is not permanent and it meets in accordance with the theme of the presented projects. However, the evaluation criteria are rigid and have been developed in accordance with a specific methodology. They allow an accurate assessment of startups on several factors: a clear value proposition, the possibility of growth, an established model for recurring revenue, market impact, competitive advantage, team experience and the presence of previous investors. The maximum funding that participants can receive is 50,000 euros, and it can vary according to the needs and prospects of the business. Upon successful presentation, the jury may decide to support more than one participant in the respective round.
“We use our contacts with dozens of business angels in Bulgaria and around the world to raise funding for start-up businesses with strong teams and concepts with the potential to enter the global market. No less important, however, is that we offer our experience and expertise to serial investors, entrepreneurs and professionals from different industries and geographies, as well as our network of contacts. That is why every time the jury includes representatives of different investment funds, business leaders from different sectors, marketing and media professionals", explains Pavel Ezekiev, co-founder and managing partner in the open-end investment funds Neo Gravity and Neo Ventures, which is the main driving force behind the new 5x Labs platform. "Our goal is to give a chance and support to good business ideas and teams in different sectors, not just the usual IT and fintech projects, which have traditionally been the focus of attention in recent years," he added.
"From our work with start-ups over the years, we have seen that they need expert help and advice at an early stage of development, especially when it comes to international operations. In the EYnovation program, we combine the knowledge and experience of our specialists with our enthusiasm to help startup companies. Our goal is to lay a solid foundation for sustainable growth in the future. From our experience so far, we see that this is a significant plus in talks with business clients and investors at a later stage," said Victor Mitev, associate partner at EY.
There are already four startups awarded by 5x Labs. Two of them - Cheese the Queen and Sofia Electric Brewing Co, are producers of high class gourmet products with an international market - nut cheeses and kraft beer. The third supported concept is for hyperbaric oxygen therapy in combination with biotechnology to be used in the healthcare and wellness industry. The jury of 5x Labs also awarded the company DoggoCollar, which will offer on the international market smart dog collars, which collect various data about the pet such as eating habits and activity and have a built-in GPS.
The next 5x Labs presentation session of five nominated startups before a 5-member jury will be held at the end of the year, and the pre-selection is permanently open, and those interested can send their presentation to office@neoventures.net.
04.10.2021
ENTREPRENEURSHIP: FIVE TIPS FOR LAYING THE SUCCESSFUL FOUNDATIONS OF COLD EMAIL MARKETING
Cold email marketing replaced the people who went from door to door in the 1970s and 1980s. Today, the goal is no longer to sell at any price, but to offer the customer a personalized relationship in which he feels recognized.
Putting the customer in the spotlight is essential to be won and retained, writes the online edition business2community.com.
Cold email is simply an automated email optimized to quickly generate qualified customers. The message is sent to the target potential customer without the seller having been in contact with him in advance, and vice versa - the customer has not sought interaction with the business.
The goal is to provoke spontaneous contact. Therefore, a cold email should be based on a clear message and a proposal with high added value in order to attract the customer's attention.
Cold search requires meeting challenges to differentiate yourself from the competition, whose emails are also spilled in your potential customers' mails. The media summarizes five important techniques for reaching them.
Determine the ideal profile of the potential customer
Identifying the ideal potential customer is essential for understanding the centers of interest of the recipients and thus for effective communication. Cold email, which is specifically targeted at a segment of customers, increases the chances of the message being opened and read by more people.
Another way to identify potential customer profiles that are most likely to be susceptible to cold e-mail is through an online survey. A short online survey can quickly gather a large amount of data and thus understand the expectations of potential customers.
Create a list of email addresses
Maintaining a list of potential email addresses is mandatory to automate the process and assign a typical profile to each email address. This database should be used to store and quickly view potential customer information associated with each email address.
To complete this list, you need to gather the email addresses on your landing page to connect with people who are relevant to your business.
Create an attractive cold email
Recipients spend a maximum of a few minutes checking their mailbox and only a few seconds to see if they are interested in the content of an email. That's why attractive content is important to ensure a good frequency of opening a cold email.
Avoid sending cold emails from addresses that suggest spam - "contact", "information" or "no response" for example. Write a line on an email subject that is different from the rest of the cold emails that customers receive. Use special characters, symbols or even emojis to highlight the theme visually.
The content should be short, precise, clear, organized, with graphic elements to facilitate reading and highlight the offer. The reader must be able to understand the content in up to ten seconds.
Invest in it a part of the corporate personality. The humanization of commercial email can bring some sensitivity to some prospective customers.
Strive for realization without being intrusive
Being considered spam is the worst thing that can happen to a cold email. That's why email should look as unobtrusive as possible.
Test, test, test
The test is essential for measuring the effectiveness of a small-scale cold email campaign. The test is conducted on a sample, ie a small group of people, representative of all potential customers involved in the campaign.
Reminders are required to increase the frequency of opening cold emails. However, it is advisable not to overdo it.
04.10.2021
SEASONAL WORKERS MUST BE HEALTH SELF-INSURED
The NRA office in Montana reminds seasonal workers who do not start other work after the end of the summer season or register at the labor exchange without the right to compensation that they must pay their health insurance themselves.
In order to continue to use free of charge the health services provided by the National Health Insurance Fund, they must submit a one-time declaration form № 7 to the office of the NRA at the place of residence and pay the due contributions. Declaration form 7 shall be submitted by the 25th day of the month following the month of occurrence of the insurance obligation.
Persons who are permanently unemployed and do not receive benefits from the Labor Offices, are not insured by the state, must transfer their health contributions by the 25th of the month following the month to which they relate. This means that the health contribution for the month of September 2021 must be paid no later than October 25, 2021. The amount of the health insurance contribution for these persons is BGN 26.00.
The local office of the Agency also reminds that the health insurance rights of the citizens, which are insured at their own expense, are interrupted if no more than three due monthly health insurance contributions have been paid for the last three years. Citizens can inquire about their health insurance status through the electronic service available on the NRA website: www.nap.bg.
Information about the health status is made automatically by entering the PIN on the phone 0700 18 700. The information about the health status by phone works 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
01.10.2021
HOW CAN YOU BUY A PENSION INTERNSHIP ABROAD?
Many EU countries do not provide the opportunity to buy a pension if you have worked in them. Applicant pensioners in Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the Netherlands are not eligible to purchase a retirement age.
In other countries, the periods for which you can buy an internship are shorter than in our country, according to data from the National Social Security Institute.
Austria
As a rule, periods spent in lower and higher education and those in training are taken into account if a contribution has been paid for those periods.
Belgium
An internship for a pension can be purchased during the period of higher education for which a diploma has been obtained.
Doctoral dissertation periods only if the doctorate has been obtained (maximum 2 years);
Professional internships (under certain conditions);
From the age of 18 for a person who has an apprenticeship contract
The period during which secondary education is followed
Czech Republic
Every citizen aged 18 or over can purchase a period of insurance up to 1 year ago, as long as the total number of periods does not exceed 15 years.
Persons employed abroad after 31.12.1995 can buy periods up to 2 years ago, without a limit on the total number of years.
Purchases of periods without a limit on the total number of years are possible at any time in certain cases, such as:
* jobseekers registered with the Labor Office for periods in which they have not received unemployment benefits;
* full-time students at secondary or university level;
* Members of the European Parliament elected in the Czech Republic for their term of office;
* spouses of those who work abroad in the diplomatic service
It is not possible to purchase reimbursement periods for the sole purpose of obtaining the right to an old-age pension.
France
"Persons insured under a general scheme who have not paid enough contributions may, under certain conditions, make payments for the pension by purchasing seniority.
* for the years of higher education, the training must be validated with a diploma.
* for incomplete years during which the insured person has validated less than 4 quarters.
There are two options for purchase:
* at a flat rate. The purchase increases the percentage of pension calculation;
* at the rate and for the term of the insurance. In no case can the insured person purchase more than 12 quarters.
Conditions:
* be between the ages of 20 and 66 inclusive,
* do not receive an old-age pension.
Germany
Additional payment for periods of study: Insured persons may apply for voluntary contributions for periods of study after the age of 16, which are not recognized as periods without income, provided that these periods are no longer supported by contributions and an application for additional training. payments are made before the age of 45.
Additional payments after reaching the statutory retirement age: parents born before 1 January 1955 with recognized periods of child-rearing.
Payment of contributions in case of early retirement due to age:
Reductions in pensions can be compensated in full or in part due to the previous request for a pension for length of service in full or in part through the payment of contributions until reaching the statutory retirement age. An early claim for an old-age pension is deductible. The maximum amount that can be compensated for these deductions is the equivalent of the pension reduction. The insured person must declare that he / she intends to apply for an early retirement pension.
Some groups of people have the opportunity to make additional payments under certain conditions:
* German citizens who retire from an international organization without funds.
* Insured persons for whom the claim for compensation for periods related to criminal prosecution is legally binding.
* Clergy and members of religious orders who are recognized as displaced persons, provided that they have not resumed such work or activity in Germany,
* Insured persons who have not completed the qualification period before reaching the statutory retirement age and are not entitled to voluntary insurance before August 10, 2010.
* Soldiers and officers who have been released on leave as a result of legislation accompanying the reform of the German armed forces.
Greece
The periods without contributions that can be taken into account are periods for the number of children (300 days that can be purchased for the first child, 600 days for each subsequent child up to 1500 days for a maximum of 3 children), a period of parental leave for parenting, period of military service, period of educational leave, period of study, period of career break, period of strike and period of apprenticeship The above periods can be purchased for the purposes of the right to a pension, as well as for its calculation .
The conditions that must be met in order to purchase the above periods are: the right to an old-age pension under conditions valid from 01.01.2011 onwards and the completion of at least 3600 working days or 12 years of insurance.
A minimum of 48 months and a maximum of 84 months of insurance can be purchased.
Italy
Opportunity to purchase insurance periods in connection with the legal duration of university education; periods of work abroad in countries that have not signed a social security contract with Italy; periods of non-compulsory maternity leave not covered by the employment contract; paramilitary work carried out before 1 April 1996
Romania
Purchase of insurance periods is possible for those who conclude an insurance contract before August 2021. The maximum redemption period is 6 months before the signing of the contract.
Only insurance periods preceding the standard retirement age can be purchased retroactively.
Past purchases can be made for retrospective periods when the person has not accumulated any pension rights as a result of a career break and with a view to building a future right to an old-age pension. The paid contributions are collected and taken into account when determining the amount of the old-age pension.
Bulgaria
We have three periods for which you can buy a length of service for a pension: for the period of study for completed higher or semi-higher education, for the period in which you are pursuing a doctorate or up to 5 years, insufficient length of service in the general order.
01.10.2021
IN FIVE MUNICIPALITIES, 20% OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN OUT OF WORK FOR MORE THAN A YEAR
The Covid-19 crisis has significantly changed the labor market in Bulgaria, with restrictions leading to a significant increase in unemployment in many regions of the country, especially in municipalities with traditionally more active labor markets, according to information from employment offices published by the Employment Agency, shows an analysis of the Institute for Market Economics (IME).
The data of the agency allow us to look at the permanent unemployment, through the data on the unemployed with registration in the labor offices for at least one year. While the presence of unemployment within certain limits is normal for a functioning labor market and a sign of labor mobility, long-term unemployment speaks only of the presence of insurmountable structural problems.
A map made by the IME visualizes the share of the long-term unemployed in the period from the end of 2019 to the latest available data and clearly demonstrates that this phenomenon is typical, above all, for Northern Bulgaria, and almost half of the municipalities in which it affects 8 % of the workforce are concentrated in the Northwest, the analysis said.
By the middle of 2021 in five municipalities - Hayredin, Ruzhintsi, Dimovo, Yakimovo and Kaolinovo registered unemployed for over a year exceed 20% of the economically active population, and more than 10% are in 36 municipalities. On the other hand, with less than 1% permanently unemployed are 100 municipalities, without any - five. In the leading economic centers - Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna their share is below 0.1%.
The impact of the crisis on long-term unemployment is visible in the comparison between its level at the end of 2019 and 2020, as it has increased in 117 municipalities, and in 18 of them - by more than 1 percentage point.
By mid-2021, the number of municipalities in which the indicator has deteriorated compared to its pre-crisis level has risen to 131, and many of those in which it is improving have initially high levels of permanent unemployment and the improvement is a logical step in period of growth in which the economy is from 2021. In the country as a whole the number of unemployed with more than a year of registration has increased from 42.3 to 44.4 thousand people.
Judging by the data published by the Employment Agency, we can conclude that the crisis has not significantly affected long-term unemployment in most regions, especially because the registered increases are not particularly high.
And by the middle of 2021 this type of unemployment remains localized mostly in Northwestern and Northeastern Bulgaria. Another question, however, is the number of permanent dropouts from the labor market as a whole, something that the data of the Employment Agency cannot show, the IME concludes.
