16.08.2021

UNEMPLOYMENT DROPS TO 5%

The level of registered unemployment in the country continued to decline in July reached 5 percent, according to the data from the administrative statistics of the Employment Agency. This was announced by the press center of the agency.

The decrease compared to the previous month was 0.2 per cent and the decline on an annual basis was 2.9 percentage points from 7.9 per cent in July 2020 to 5 per cent in July 2021 compared to the end of July 2019 - year, generally record-up in employment growth, the level of unemployment also decreases by 0.3 percentage points.

Registered unemployed during the month are 165 134, which is 5582 less than June and 93 419 or 36.1 per cent, less than a year earlier. New 20,451 unemployed, the reduction was 90 people compared to the previous month, and there was a decline of 7613 people compared to July 2020. Others 662 people from jobseekers' groups employed, learners and pensioners have also signed up at the Employment Agency during the month.

In July 17,856 unemployed started work. The data from the administrative statistics of the Employment Agency reported a decrease in their number by 8234 compared to June and a decrease of 9567 compared to the same month of the previous year. Other 474 of the pensioners' groups, learners and employees have also found their new workplace through the Labor Offices.

A total of 75.2 per cent of the work started in July was developed in the real economy, and most employed in the manufacturing sector - 22.5 per cent, followed by trade by 14.8 per cent, hospitality and restaurant with 13 , 3 per cent, government - 6.5 per cent, construction - 5.7 per cent, agriculture, forestry and fishery -4.6 per cent, human health and social work with 3.8 per cent, administrative and adjuvants Activities - 3.7 per cent, transport - by 2.9 per cent others.

A total of 4423 unemployed by the risk groups has been recruited to subsidized jobs during the month - 530 under programs and employment measures and 3893 - under the Human Resources Development Program (OP). The Employment Scheme for You under the HRD OP, which launched in July 2020 as an anti-crisis measure, has secured more than 32,000 unemployed, with employment contracts with new 1864 unemployed in July.

The repayment of funds under the anti-crisis measure for short-term employment support - the well-known 60/40 already. Thus, through its month, more than 79,000 employees received their financial compensation from the state. The measure "kept me" funded under the HRD and the React-EU Financial Mechanism to support forced unpaid leave imposed by the suspension of a number of economic activities in order to control the Covid-19 pandemic provided by the end of July the funds of the nearly 58,000 employees.

Applied jobs on the primary labor market in July are 15,700 or 3928 (20 per cent) less than the previous month and 649 (4 per cent) less than the same month of 2020 largest share Job vacancies in the real economy are requested in the manufacturing (30.8 per cent), followed by hospitality and restaurant (12.1 per cent), trade, car repair and motorcycles (10.9 per cent), education (9.2 per cent), administrative and adjuvants Activities (8.5 per cent) and government (6.8 per cent).

The most sought-after professions during the month are: machine operators of stationary machinery and equipment; staff employed in the field of personal services; workers in mining and manufacturing, construction and transport; Teachers; sellers; People who care for people; Qualified workers for food production, clothing, wooden products and related; waste collection workers and related workers; cleaners and assistants; drivers of vehicles and movable facilities and others.

15.08.2021

HOW MUCH DOES THE MINIMUM WAGE RAISE IN OUR COUNTRY

The minimum wage in Bulgaria has risen for the period from 2017 - 2021 by 41.3% - from BGN 460 in 2017 to 650 leva in 20121. The average is increasing for the same period by almost 50 per cent - from 1001 BGN in the beginning of 2017 to BGN 1462 in the first quarter of this. This is understood by the answer to the work minister of Labor and Social Policy Galab Donev to a Deputy Question.

According to the Minister, minimum wage growth reduces wage inequality and reduces workers' poverty. It mainly affects minimal remuneration, leading to a decline in the risk of poverty among the employees in the range of 16 to 64 years. Last year, this percentage decreased to 9.7 per cent at 11.4% in 2016.

Wages in private companies are lagging behind those in the public sector, it is clear from the data of the Social Ministry.

Because of the increase in salaries in the administration, education and healthcare in the public sector, the average salary for the first three months of this year reached 1569 leva, which was an increase of 17.2 per cent, while in the private lag to BGN 1426 or height with 8.8 per One hundred, the minister said.

In the post-2017 period, the average wage in Bulgaria increased sustainably by over 9% per annum.

In 2017, it was 1037 leva, with the increase compared to the previous year being 9.4 per cent. Over the next two years it increased by 10.5% on an annual basis.

In 2018, the following salary in Bulgaria was 1146 leva and in 2019 BGN 1267. In the public sector, it reaches 1294 leva or a growth of 11, 8 per cent and in the private - 1260 leva or an increase of 10.2 per cent.

It continues to increase in 2020, despite the pandemic caused by coronavirus, also show the data of the Social Ministry, and the average salary increased by 9.5 per cent to 1387 leva. The increase in the public sector is larger - by 11.4 per cent to 1441 leva, while in private growth is 8.7 per cent to 1369 leva.

In the first quarter of this year, the average remuneration raised by 11 per cent, reaching BGN 1462. Regardless of the high salary growths, Bulgaria remains the lowest income in the EU, Minister Donev said.

09.08.2021

OVER 8,000 UNEMPLOYED AND EMPLOYED WILL BE ABLE TO START WORK OR STUDY WITH REDISTRIBUTED FUNDS FROM THE STATE BUDGET

As of today, the Employment Agency through the employment offices offers more financial preferences to employers and registered unemployed under various programs and measures to stimulate employment and / or the acquisition of qualifications or key competencies. Funds from the state budget will be used to finance the employment of more than 5,000 unemployed people from disadvantaged groups on the labor market, as well as the training of at least 2,050 unemployed and 990 employees in micro, small or medium enterprises.

This became possible after, on the proposal of the Employment Agency and with the approval of the National Council for Tripartite Cooperation, the Minister of Labor and Social Policy approved the redistribution of funds for the implementation in 2021 of programs and measures to promote employment included in the approved for this year National Employment Action Plan.

The redistribution redirected BGN 3.5 million from programs and measures to stimulate employment, which due to the epidemic situation did not start on time or in full. The Employment Agency proposed that the formed savings be directed to the forms of employment sought by both employers and the unemployed.

A part of the redistributed funds is directed to the employers who have announced vacancies in the labor offices. The funds will be available if the targeted registered unemployed employers approve a person who is a representative of a target group under a program or measure of the Employment Promotion Act, for which the Labor Office Directorate has free funds for concluding a new contract.

Preferences can be given to employers who employ people with permanent disabilities, young people, mothers with children up to 5 years of age, pre-retirement age, long-term unemployed, etc. These people, in the conditions of increased labor supply, have more difficulties in finding a suitable job.

Through the preferences provided, employers can receive subsidies not only for hiring the unemployed from the above groups, but also for dual training of the unemployed, training for the acquisition of key competencies of employees, as well as for vocational training of the unemployed, necessary for work in the respective enterprise.

The employment offices of the Employment Agency provide various opportunities and a variety of forms of financial support in terms of period, type and amount of subsidies, as the specific parameters of the financial incentives for individual programs and measures are defined in the National Action Plan for 2021 d. The subsidy period varies from 3 to 24 months, and the amount of monthly funds provided for basic remuneration - from BGN 320 to 700, and in most cases funds are provided for additional remuneration and social security contributions at the expense of the employer for each employee. unemployed person under the terms of the respective program or measure.

At the same time, the Employment Agency provides financial preferences to the unemployed, which stimulates their mobility or entrepreneurship.

Each Labor Office Directorate has funds under some of the various programs and measures to promote employment, providing preferences to employers or the unemployed. The current opportunities for applying for them until the exhaustion of the free financial resource are published on the website of the Employment Agency, in the section "Announcements for financing by regions", structured for each of the 9 Directorates "Regional Employment Service" in the sub-sections "Incentives for the unemployed” and “Incentive programs and measures for employers”.

The free funds are also announced on the information board in each Directorate "Labor Office" in the country, where you can get complete information about the possibilities, the order and the conditions for granting preferences for the unemployed or employers.

CONSULTANCY CENTER - BERKOVITSA PRESENTS INFORMATION ABOUT INCENTIVE PROGRAMS AND MEASURES PROVIDED BY THE "LABOR OFFICE" DIRECTORATE - BERKOVITSA

FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST 2021

For employers

Section I. Measures under the terms and conditions of the EPA - to encourage Employers who create jobs for unemployed persons and hire:	Funds in BGN
- unemployed persons in the first 5 jobs created by employers - micro-enterprises (Article 50 of the EPA)	2 323
- long-term unemployed persons (art. 55c of EPA)	6 348
Section II. Training and employment programs:	Funds in BGN
National Program for Employment and Training of Persons with Permanent Disabilities	10 286
National Retirement Assistance Program	6 683
Training and employment program for the long-term unemployed - subsidized the employment of the long-term unemployed by:
- private sector employers (Component 1)	9 600
- state and municipal medical establishments, municipal schools, municipal children's gardens, as well as state-owned enterprises and municipal enterprises (Component 2)	9 327
Section III. Adult education	Funds in BGN
Trainings - at the request of an employer.
Training of Unemployed persons with a secured job
1. Training of persons under Art. 63, para. 1, item 1 of EPA, by the order of art. 63 of the Rules for the Implementation of the EPA. /for acquiring a professional qualification/	1284
Employee trainings
2. Training of persons under Art. 63, para. 1, item 3 of EPA, by the order of art. 63 of the Rules for the Implementation of the EPA. / for acquisition of Key Competences/ /at Employers - "micro-" and "small" enterprises/	519
The organization and conduct of the trainings should be in accordance with the anti-epidemic situation in the country

For unemployed people

Adult education	Funds in BGN
- Two-year training plan conducted by the State Enterprise Bulgarian-German Center for Vocational Training	25 939

Interested parties can obtain additional information in the "Labor Office" Directorate - Berkovitsa and on tel. +359 953 88 341.

05.08.2021

BUSINESSES WILL RECEIVE LOANS MORE EASILY

Companies will receive easier financing once the Council of Ministers adopts the Portfolio Guarantee Program to support the liquidity of companies affected by the emergency and the COVID-19 epidemic.

The "recovery program" will provide significant liquidity support to businesses in the country, concentrated in a relatively short period of time.

The guarantee scheme will ensure the provision of a large number of enterprises on favorable terms, on favorable terms, which will largely cover the increased counterparty risk associated with the consequences of COVID-19, the Council of Ministers announced.

The effect of the guarantee is focused on reliefs in the collateral requirements and the shortest possible terms for approval and disbursement of loans.

Commercial banks will be required to transfer the full economic benefits of the guarantee to the final borrowers, by providing unsecured loans, with the exception of personal guarantees, which must be provided by the beneficial owners.

The changes in the Program envisage the loans to be provided with shorter processing terms and with optimized time for approval or refusal.

The decision gives consent to the Bulgarian Development Bank EAD to reallocate part of the funds within the approved budget under the Program for implementation of other measures for overcoming the consequences of COVID-19, assigned for implementation by the Council of Ministers of Bulgarian Development Bank EAD.

The draft decision will contribute to the effective implementation of the programs assigned to BDB AD to overcome the negative consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.

04.08.2021

GREEN TECHNOLOGIES AND DIGITALISATION ARE PREFERRED SECTORS FOR INVESTEU FUNDING

After a market research among financial institutions, conducted by the Bulgarian Development Bank, it was found that the preferred sectors for financing under the InvestEU program are several: application of green technologies, environmental management of resources, water and waste, improvement of logistics and communication systems , introduction of new technologies, support for vulnerable groups such as startups and companies of women entrepreneurs.

The study takes into account market demand and helps identify potential financial intermediaries to partner with BDB. On June 30, 2021, the Bulgarian Development Bank officially declared to the EC a desire to attract additional funds for business recovery and development through the InvestEU program. The total resource that the bank can mobilize with the support of the EU and the participation of the financial sector is approximately BGN 1.7 billion.

The participants in the study stated that they were interested in a standard portfolio guarantee from BDB with opportunities for various risk coverage. According to them, the provision of such an instrument will enable them to finance riskier and more vulnerable final borrowers. Additional benefits for business will be lower interest rates and lower collateral requirements.

In terms of maximum funding, commercial banks report between € 7.5 million and € 15 million for the Sustainable Infrastructure component and up to € 7.5 million for the SME component. The acceptable terms of the loans are up to 180 and up to 120 months, respectively, and the period for generating a new portfolio - until 2027. The final confirmation of the inclusion of BDB in the InvestEU program is expected in October.

Аbout InvestEU

The InvestEU program will be implemented for the period 2021-2027 as the EU's main instrument for investing in economic recovery, environmental progress and employment in Europe. It is one of the tools to support growth after the Kovid crisis and to achieve the EU's goals of building a green, digital and sustainable European economy.

03.08.2021

THE UNEMPLOYED ARE RISING

The trend of the newly registered unemployed in the whole country, starting from the end of June, is more than the number of those who started working. This is shown by the latest data from the specialized monitoring of the labor market due to Covid-19 of the National Statistical Institute and the Employment Agency.

For the week from July 25 to August 1, there are nearly 3,900 people registered in the labor offices, and 3,600 people who have started working.

The latest data from the labor market monitoring for the period July 25 - August 1 show that most are newly registered in the labor offices in the districts of Vratsa, Plovdiv, Blagoevgrad, Stara Zagora, Haskovo, Yambol.

In 13 districts of the country there is a predominance of people without a livelihood over those employed.

The data show that from the end of 2020 to August 1, 2021, the newly registered unemployed in the country are 168,000 people. And the number of people who came to work through the employment offices is 149,000.

30.07.2021

THE EMPLOYMENT OF 300 UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE WITH PERMANENT DISABILITIES WILL BE SUPPORTED

The Employment Agency conducts a procedure for selection of a contractor to support the employment of unemployed persons with permanent disabilities or belonging to other disadvantaged groups on the labor market.

The contractor will be provided with funds for "supported employment", ie for assistance and employment for at least one year of the unemployed from these groups.

The National Action Plan for Employment for 2021 provides funds to support the employment of a total of 300 unemployed people with disabilities or other vulnerable groups.

Up to BGN 1,000 will be provided for each unemployed person from these groups referred by the labor office, who has been arranged with the assistance of the contractor for a non-subsidized job for a period of not less than 12 months.

The funds are provided to specific private intermediaries selected as contractors after the tender procedure. For this purpose, the approved candidates will be contracted with payment depending on the final result - employment under an employment contract for a period of not less than 12 months, regardless of the type and volume of services provided before the establishment and during the work of the appointed under the measure unemployed.

The amounts are paid in two parts - until the expiration of the first month and after the expiration of the 12th month from the conclusion of the employment contract with the person.

The procedure for applying for and using the preferences is regulated in Art. 37a of the Regulations for implementation of the Employment Promotion Act. The procedure conducted by the Employment Agency under the Public Procurement Act provides an opportunity to apply for 9 separate positions, formed on the basis of the territorial scope of the 9 Regional Employment Services.

The term for application under the procedure by the private intermediary companies, registered by the order of art. 27, para. 2, item 2 of the EPA, is until August 16, 2021, and full information on the conditions and requirements for application is published in the Public Procurement Register at the following link: https://app.eop.bg/today/147860.

29.07.2021

WHAT KIND OF WORKERS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR IN THE MONTANA DISTRICT

The Labor Office directorates announced the vacancies in the Montana district. The vacancies are in Berkovitsa, Lom and Montana.

There is a rich variety of positions in the current list, and the large number of vacant teaching positions is impressive.

More information can be found in the Labor Office Directorate. Consultancy Center - Berkovitsa publishes the full list of jobs in the field:

 

LABOR OFFICE DIRECTORATE - BERKOVITSA

Dr. Iv. Panov Street №1, tel: 0953/88 371

 

Jobs for specialists with semi-higher and secondary special education

1 X-ray technician

1 Speech therapist

1 Rehabilitator

 

Jobs for secondary special, secondary vocational, secondary general and primary education

1 General worker

3 Tailor

1 Chef

1 Bartender

1 Waiter

1 Machinist, single bucket excavator

5 Turner

5 Service worker, industrial production

1 Lifeguard, pool

1 Waiter

1 Cosmetician

3 General worker

1 Host, buildings

1 Bartender

 

LABOR OFFICE DIRECTORATE - LOM

Svoboda Square 6, tel: 0971 / 60-195

 

Jobs for specialists with higher education

1 Veterinarian / technician

1 Junior high school teacher - agronomist or biology and health education

1 Teacher, Bulgarian language and literature

1 Teacher, Informatics and Information Technology

1 Senior teacher, preparatory group

1 Teacher in junior high school - history and geography - 4 hours

1 Senior specialist - illegal construction

1 Chief Engineer, municipality / district

 

Jobs for secondary vocational, secondary general and primary education

4 Sales Consultant

2 Chef

4 Worker in the kitchen

1 Bread driver

12 General worker in industry

2 Driver, truck

2 Packer

2 General worker

2 Sewing machine operator

1 Seller, buffet

1 Loan specialist, bank

 

LABOR OFFICE DIRECTORATE - MONTANA

5 Zheravitsa Square, tel: 096 / 306-262

 

Jobs for specialists with higher education

1 Physician, psychiatry

1 Physician, urology

3 Medical laboratory assistant

2 Physician, cardiology

2 Physician, pediatrics

2 Physician, orthopedics and traumatology

1 Master of Pharmacy

2 Legal Adviser

1 Chief Legal Adviser

2 Technical contractor

1 Legal Adviser

1 French teacher

1 Speech therapist

 

Jobs for secondary vocational, secondary general and primary education

1 Bus driver

1 Locksmith

1 Welder

1 Master, manufacture of pasta

1 Farm animal worker (cows)

5 Tailor

1 Driver, truck (C + E)

1 Joiner

Experienced chef

2 Dishwasher, dishes

1 Chef

1 Driver, light truck (category B or C) for Europe

2 Sales Consultant

2 Seller, delivery trade

1 Chef, with experience

1 Turner

1 Power engineer

3 Tailor

1 Ironer

4 Packer

1 Iron, iron

1 Assistant Chef

Experienced chefs

4 Waiters

1 Electrician

2 Telecommunication technician

1 Sales Consultant

1 Chef

1 Sales Consultant

1 Mixer

1 Chef

3 Arranger, showcases / stands + cashier

1 Consignee, cargo

1 Assistant Chef

1 Waiter

5 Tailors

1 Insurance broker

1 Manager, sales team

5 Credit specialist, bank

1 Lifeguard, pool

5 Tailors

5 Electrician

2 Machinist, road construction machines

5 Installer

6 Machine operator, metal cutting machines

3 common worker

1 Sales Consultant

1 Driver, light truck (category C)

2 Maids

2 Cashier

5 Tailors

1 Computer operator + cashier

1 Seller, pavilion

1 Locksmith

1 Welder

1 General worker

1 General worker

5 Battery operator

16.07.2021

BULGARIA, ROMANIA, CROATIA - WHOSE ECONOMY WILL GROW THE FASTEST?

The world economy is gradually recovering from the pandemic, and this is already being felt in both larger countries and smaller economies. EU member states have reopened their economies, which has immediately boosted the services sector. The recovery of consumption is already underway and will intensify in the coming months, the European Commission predicts in its summer economic forecast.

The EU Balkan countries are also feeling the positive change. Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia are showing enviable economic growth, the bad times seem to be behind them. Romania's economy will grow by 7.4% in 2021, putting it at the forefront of growth not only in the region but throughout the European Union.

The champion Romania

The Romanian economy has gained momentum in the first 3 months of the year, wages have risen, boosting consumption. Private consumption will remain very stable, supported by the lifting of restrictions, especially in sectors heavily affected by the pandemic, such as the arts, entertainment, restaurants and hotels.

Investment will remain strong, supported by both the private and public sectors, and industrial activity will expand in the coming months, as evidenced by the steady increase in orders. Romania's exports need to improve due to the ongoing recovery of the country's main trading partners, but the contribution of net exports to growth is expected to remain negative over the forecast horizon, the EC expects.

Inflation is also likely to rise due to high energy prices, as well as the recovery in demand. Annual consumer price inflation has risen from 1.8% in December 2020 to around 2.7% in April 2021 and is expected to average 3.2% throughout the year before declining to 2.9 % in 2022, predicted by Brussels.

Romanian Prime Minister Florin Chitu said Romania's economy would grow by nearly 7% in 2021 amid government policies that stimulate investment. In the crisis year of 2020, Romania's economic output shrank by 3.9% compared to 4.1% in 2019.

Stable Croatia

The Croatian economy will grow by 5.4% this year and 5.9% in 2022, taking advantage of boosting consumption, construction, industry and tourism prospects.

New jobs are being created in the hospitality, IT and construction sectors, supported by strong investment performance. Investment growth will accelerate throughout the year, for which the Recovery and Sustainability Plan will play an important role.

The tourist season in the country will remain well below the levels of 2019, but will be significantly better than last year. As a result, exports of services should show strong growth. Exports of goods are also expected to perform well, driven by strong demand from key trading partners. Inflation remains low, but is expected to continue to rise, driven by services and processed foods. The EC expects it to increase by 1.5% this year and 1.3% in 2022.

However, Croatia has something to catch up with, as the country's economic output shrank by as much as 8% last year. Its economy was among the hardest hit by the crisis, along with those of Spain, Italy and Greece.

Unsure Bulgaria

Bulgaria's economy will grow by 4.6% in 2021, visibly weaker than Romania and Croatia, but still 1.1 percentage points higher than previously expected. Moderate growth of just over 4% will continue in 2022. Growth in Bulgaria is slightly below the EU average (4.8%), significantly lower than in Hungary and Slovenia, but close to that in Slovakia, Estonia and Poland.

Despite the constraints associated with the pandemic, real GDP grew by 2.5% on a quarterly basis in the first 3 months of 2021, mainly due to exports and private consumption. Bulgaria's economic output fell by 1.8% on an annual basis in the first quarter of 2021, after an annual decline of 3.8% in the fourth quarter of 2020, according to the NSI.

Consumer demand may be stronger than expected, but due to the slow vaccination against COVID-19, there is a danger of a new blockade by the end of the year.

In 2022, household consumption is expected to continue to increase, in line with the improving labor market situation. Exports of goods and services will also increase due to rising external demand and the lifting of restrictive measures. The implementation of the Recovery and Sustainability Plan will support investment in 2022.

Inflation is set to accelerate to 1.9% in 2021 due to expected higher energy prices and some side effects of higher fuel prices. Non-energy industrial goods and processed foods are also projected to maintain stronger price dynamics. In 2022, consumer price inflation is expected to reach 2.5%, supported by aggregate demand.

15.07.2021

THEY GIVE UP TO BGN 20,000 TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES TO START A BUSINESS

Projects of people with disabilities who want to start their own business will be funded by up to BGN 20,000 from the state.

Applicants must have 50 or more 50% reduced working capacity and no sole proprietorship or partnership. They will have the opportunity to cover costs related to the establishment of a new enterprise, construction activities, equipment of the created jobs. The financial support can also be used for working capital and a short training course for the business owner. This was announced by the Agency for People with Disabilities, which is collecting proposals until August 16.

The institution will also support projects of specialized enterprises and cooperatives of people with disabilities, the aim of which is to stimulate the employment of people in a specialized environment. The projects will provide an opportunity to build an online platform with a website to promote the services and products of enterprises. Under the procedure, up to BGN 80,000 can be granted, and documents must be submitted by August 26.

The agency announces a competition for financing projects and for the construction of an accessible architectural environment of cultural, historical and sports sites. The right to participate have state, municipal, economic and non-governmental organizations, registered under the Bulgarian legislation and owning or managing the sites.

Up to BGN 12,000 can be allocated for the construction of ramps, paths for people with visual impairments, adaptation of the entrances or exits of buildings, installation of signals for people with hearing or visual problems. Up to BGN 15,000 can be allocated for the improvement of the internal environment, and up to BGN 50,000 for the construction of new and reconstruction of existing elevators or platforms. The proposals must be sent by September 14.

The National Employment Program for People with Disabilities also provides an opportunity for financing up to BGN 10,000 for employers to provide access to existing or new jobs for people with permanent disabilities of working age. The same amount may be allocated to them for the adaptation of existing jobs or for the equipment of new ones. Up to BGN 1,000 can be obtained for acquiring additional qualification or re-qualification of a worker with a disability. Documents must be submitted by August 17.

All documents and conditions for applying for projects can be found on the website of the Agency for People with Disabilities.