01.06.2021
A BULGARIAN WOMAN BECOMES THE FIRST EU COORDINATOR FOR YOUTH ISSUES
Bilyana Sirakova, a longtime employee of the European Commission, was presented today as the first EU coordinator for youth issues. The aim of her work is to increase cooperation and knowledge sharing in the field of youth among the EC services, explained in a statement on this occasion.
Sirakova will work on employment, education, healthcare, nature, democracy, culture. It will work closely with various youth stakeholders and pass on their messages to the EC. Sirakova's position is new and is part of the commission's proposals for a European Youth Strategy until 2027.
EU Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth Maria Gabriel expected Sirakova's work to contribute to all the commission's policies, including in discussing the future of the EU.
31.05.2021
PROPOSE LEGAL CHANGES TO WORK FROM HOME
To create a special interdepartmental working group for necessary amendments and additions to the legislation concerning teleworking. This is what the Economic and Social Council proposes in its opinion "Effects of implementing telework in Bulgaria".
In it, the council noted that in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, teleworking has contributed to the Bulgarian economy continuing to function, employment to be maintained and losses to be limited. During this period, the share of teleworkers within the EU increased from 5 to about 40%.
A study by the Council of Women in Business in Bulgaria shows that 25% of employees will continue to work remotely 2-3 days / week, which is 7 times more than before COVID-19. It is clear that many lessons need to be learned from the pandemic to increase opportunities and eliminate the risks associated with teleworking, taking into account the economy's transition to digitalisation and more sustainable development.
This would guarantee a successful adaptation of the labor market to the new challenges and provide digital flexibility, according to the Economic and Social Council.
An important recommendation of ESC regarding the programming period 2021 - 2027 is to apply good practices so that European funds reach the beneficiaries quickly.
The Council considers that it is necessary to look for opportunities for businesses and people from the districts of Pernik, Kyustendil and Blagoevgrad to have access to equitable financing according to their real needs.
31.05.2021
ENTREPRENEURS WANT SUPPORT CENTERS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE COUNTRYSIDE
"During the pandemic, the problems of small and medium-sized businesses also increased, this problem is still there - intercompany indebtedness and others. I expect the new government to create a system of business centers to support small and medium-sized businesses on the ground, to support people in the field and to develop a mechanism for quick access to fresh financial resources - creation of microcredit funds, creation of venture capital funds, other support mechanisms, apart from the grant, mixed schemes, etc.,” Eleonora Negulova, chairwoman of the National Association of Small and Medium Business, told BNR.
She informed about the refusal of the Bulgarian Development Bank (BDB) to lend to small businesses. "BDB has a microfund for small loans up to BGN 50,000 and one of my companies was refused because, according to the bank, the company's business is not sufficiently efficient, which was offered for financing, but there are other cases in our association," she added.
"The problem is even more serious because the bank itself has no branches in the province and people there have to spend money to come to Sofia. The Development Bank itself and the Executive Agency for Promotion of Small and Medium Enterprises, which are the two main instruments of the state for the implementation of some supporting policies in our sector - and neither the bank nor the agency have branches," said Negulova.
31.05.2021
WHAT KIND OF WORKERS ARE EMPLOYERS LOOKING FOR
2,540 vacancies were presented by 140 employers at 14 job fairs organized by the Employment Agency at the end of April and May after the fall of the anti-epidemic restrictions for holding group events.
1,594 jobseekers who showed interest in direct meetings with business participated. The Employment Agency held labor exchanges in the towns of Aytos, Dalgopol, Panagyurishte, Dolni Chiflik, General Toshevo, Burgas, Karnobat, Kavarna, Silistra, Pomorie, Dobrich, Velingrad, Shumen and Valchi Dol.
2 specialized youth labor exchanges in April and May were organized in Silistra and Shumen. The meetings were attended by 22 employers, who announced 78 vacancies. Workers are recruited in the field of production and services - machine operator, dairy producer, service worker for industrial production, waiter, cook and others. 105 jobseekers were present to get acquainted with the working conditions and requirements of the employers.
7 were the general labor exchanges held in April and May by the labor offices in Provadia, Aytos, Panagyurishte, General Toshevo, Karnobat, Valchi Dol and Velingrad. 48 employers announced 748 vacancies. The business offers are for shoe machine operator, canning worker, truck driver, machine operator, dairy producer, industrial service worker, cleaner/hygienist, herbalist, tailor, laundress, worker in the field of agriculture, etc. 583 jobseekers took part in direct meetings with employers.
In the field of tourism, hotels and restaurants 5 specialized job fairs were organized in Dolni Chiflik, Burgas, Kavarna, Pomorie and Dobrich. 70 industry representatives announced 1,714 vacancies. We are looking for traditionally workers and employees in the field of tourism services such as a bellboy, lifeguard, animator, hotel administrator, bartender, maid, cook, waiter, assistant chef, kitchen worker, washer, sales consultant and trucks driver, an agricultural worker, a construction worker, etc. The job fairs were visited by 906 jobseekers who met with the business and had the opportunity to discuss the offers in person.
The Employment Agency plans to hold 7 job fairs in June. A detailed schedule of events is available on the institution's website or here.
28.05.2021
WHICH PROFESSION IS THE MOST DESIRED IN OUR COUNTRY
"Security guard" continues to be among the most desired professions in our country, there is an increased interest in 2021 in the field of "Plant and Animal Husbandry", according to data from the National Agency for Vocational Education and Training /NAVET/.
The data from the information system of NAVET show that for the first months of 2021 (from January 1 until now) the most popular professions are in the professional fields "Motor vehicles, ships and aircraft", "Plant and animal husbandry", "Computer sciences "," Hairdressing and cosmetic services "and" Security ". This was announced in an interview with BTA by the chairman of NAVET eng. Mariana Pavlova.
Compared to the same period in 2020, there is a decrease in the number of trained by about 15%. The number of trainees in the field of "Plant and Animal Husbandry" has increased almost 4 times. According to Pavlova, the data are intermediate and the agency cannot commit to specific conclusions at this stage.
In the past 2020, 79,809 people have been trained in licensed Vocational Training Centers, and slightly more than one-fifth (22 percent) are trainees in professions and specialties of the professional field "Motor vehicles, ships and aircraft".
The most desired professions are "Security Guard", "Lifting Equipment Installer", "Transport Equipment Installer", "Programmer" and "Marketing Associate".
"Trends in recent years have been maintained, and there is interest in conducting professional training also in the field of hospitality, restaurants and catering, hairdressing and cosmetic services, as well as plant and animal husbandry," Pavlova said.
According to the chairman of NAVET, the crisis has not changed the preferred professional areas. They remain the same compared to previous years. "It can be argued that the trainees in the centers make choices that are in line with their individual desires rather than the current situation on the labor market," Pavlova added.
Deficits of people with secondary education and a surplus of human resources with higher and primary education are expected on the labor market.
NAVET experts also cite reports on the labor market of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy. According to the report "Medium-term and long-term forecasts for the development of the labor market in Bulgaria, employment and labor market imbalances, labor supply factors (2008-2034)", there are significant structural deficits of people in the labor market and are expected. with secondary education and structural surplus of human resources with higher and primary and lower education.
According to the brief analysis of the labor market as of March 2021, published on the MLSP website, the largest share of job vacancies in the real economy is declared in the manufacturing industry (26.7 percent), followed by hotels and restaurants (13, 9 per cent), trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (10.5 per cent), government (9.5 per cent), agriculture, forestry and fisheries (9.1 per cent) and administrative and support service activities (6 ,3 percent).
The system of vocational education and training provides qualified specialists for many of these areas, so that those who would like to change their professional field can do so by joining vocational training, said Eng. Mariana Pavlova. According to the expert, the system provides flexibility - people can undergo vocational training in part of the profession and enter the labor market in a relatively short time.
Employers prefer the so-called "soft skills" to professional ones, but Bulgaria remains one of the last places to create such skills.
Another point on which different stakeholders agree is that the transition between different positions and professions would be smoother if people have a set of key competencies that help them change, said Mariana Pavlova. She pointed out that a number of studies at European level show that employers prefer the so-called "soft skills" to professional ones, which can be acquired in the process of work. On the other hand, Bulgaria ranks 26th (out of a total of 31 systems) in terms of skills creation, according to the European Skills Index, a complex indicator for measuring the effectiveness and comparison of skills systems in different countries, monitored by the European Center for Development of vocational training Cedefop.
According to the chairman of NAVET, this is the reason to take action to promote key competencies and their inclusion in the curriculum in vocational training. These are adaptability, flexibility, skills for working under pressure, digital competencies, etc., which are extremely important at every stage of individual career management, regardless of age and education of people.
In recent years, the share of trainings that are funded at the request of the employer is high, and in 2020 such trainings are 21.9 percent of all trainings conducted in the centers. Mariana Pavlova said that the role of employers in the system of vocational education and training is extremely important, because, on the one hand, they state exactly their needs for staff training, and on the other hand they trust NAVET for quality assurance in individual VTC in terms of facilities, teachers, compliance with state educational standards.
Last but not least, by organizing and financing trainings for their employees, employers create loyalty and commitment in them, which gives results in the medium and long term, said the chairman of NAVET.
28.05.2021
FROM JUNE 1, PAYMENTS TO THE NATIONAL REVENUE AGENCY IN SOME CITIES BY CARD AND ELECTRONICALLY
From June 1, 2021, payments of taxes and social security contributions in the offices of the National Revenue Agency in Gabrovo, Dobrich, Kardzhali, Montana, Pernik, Ruse, Stara Zagora and Yambol can be made free of charge using the physical POS terminals of the Revenue Agency, as and through an e-service for payment in the Portal for electronic services of the department.
Payments to the NRA will continue to be made by bank transfer from any bank in the country or other payment service provider, but according to the tariffs of the respective financial institutions.
With a decision of UBB, its existing counters in these offices will work with customers until the end of the working day on May 31, 2021.
Online payment is one of the most frequently used electronic services of the NRA. From the beginning of the year until now in the so-called Virtual POS (e-card payment service) almost BGN 100 million were paid free of charge, and since the creation of the service almost 1.5 million transactions have been made for over BGN 500 million.
The electronic service "Information on the obligations with the possibility of making a payment" is available with a personal identification code (PIC) or a qualified electronic signature (QES) in the Electronic Services Portal of the NRA. The Revenue Agency clarifies that no fees are due to the NRA when paying through the virtual POS terminal and it is reflected in the tax-insurance account of the client immediately, without the usual delay in bank transfer.
Additional information about the payments to the NRA can be obtained from the website of the agency or through the information center of the NRA by phone: 0700 18 700.
27.05.2021
THEY GRANT LOW-INTEREST LOANS TO START-UPS AND SOCIAL ENTERPRISES
The Fund of Funds (FF) has launched a third procedure for the selection of financial intermediaries for the implementation of the instrument "Microcredit with shared risk".
The resource is under the Operational Program "Human Resources Development 2014-2020" (OPHRD), co-financed by the European Social Fund. The total budget of BGN 9 million is divided into three separate items, with a resource of BGN 1 million, BGN 2 million and BGN 6 million, respectively.
The financial instrument aims to improve access to finance for start-ups, including people from certain vulnerable groups (unemployed over 6 months, young people under 29 and people with disabilities) and social enterprises.
The funds will be provided in the form of microloans in the amount of BGN 5,000 to 48,895 or their equivalent in EUR. The repayment period is up to 10 years and a grace period of up to 2 years for the loan principal.
The instrument will attract additional private capital aimed at achieving public labor market policies. In the new procedure the scope of the final recipients has been expanded as eligible enterprises are also those registered up to 5 years before the date of application. The additional reliefs introduced are aimed at overcoming the consequences of the COVID-19 crisis.
The maximum financing from the Fund of Funds is up to 90% of the amount of each individual loan. Financial intermediaries should provide the remaining 10%. The funds from the FNF have zero interest rates, and the co-financing from the intermediary is at market levels, and the final recipients will pay a weighted average interest rate, which is significantly more favorable than the market interest rate.
Acquisition of tangible and intangible assets will be financed through "Microcredit with shared risk"; working capital in connection with the development/expansion of activities of the enterprise or the self-employed person; the development and improvement of the skills of the employees of the micro-enterprise or of the entrepreneur in case of self-employment.
For additional information and questions about the started procedure you can contact the team of the Fund of Funds by e-mail: office@fmfib.bg.
26.05.2021
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION ALLOCATES EUR 511 MILLION TO BULGARIA UNDER SURE
The European Commission has allocated € 14.137 billion to 12 EU Member States under the seventh tranche of financial support under the SURE instrument. As part of today's operations, Belgium received € 2 billion, Bulgaria € 511 million, Cyprus € 124 million, Greece € 2.54 billion, Spain € 3.37 billion, Italy € 751 million, Lithuania € 355 million. , Latvia - € 113 million, Malta - € 177 million, Poland - € 1.56 billion, Portugal - € 2.41 billion and Estonia - € 230 million.
For the first time, Bulgaria and Estonia receive funding under the SURE instrument. The other ten EU countries have already benefited from loans under this instrument.
This SURE support will help Member States to cope with sudden increases in public spending aimed at maintaining employment in the context of the coronavirus pandemic. In particular, Member States will be helped to cover costs directly related to the financing of national part-time schemes and other similar measures introduced in response to the pandemic, including for the self-employed.
Today's payments are a consequence of the seventh issue of social bonds under the SURE instrument, which in recent days has attracted significant interest from investors in difficult market conditions.
25.05.2021
WHO AND HOW CAN TERMINATE THE USE OF OUR PAID LEAVE
The law provides for two possibilities to interrupt the use of paid annual leave.
In the first place, interruption of the use of paid annual leave may take place when, during the use of paid annual leave, another type of paid (for example, sick leave) or unpaid (for example, parental leave) leave is granted. According to the law, when during the use of the paid annual leave the employee is allowed another type of paid or unpaid leave, the use of the paid annual leave is interrupted at his request and the rest is used additionally by agreement between him and the employer.
The interruption is made at the request of the employee. The law does not provide a special legal form for this request. In practice, this is usually done with an oral statement of intent to interrupt the use of paid annual leave, upon presentation of a sick leave or other document showing that a type of leave other than paid leave is permitted.
The practice of the employer unilaterally terminating paid annual leave that it has already authorized is illegal.
Paid leave of the employee may be interrupted by mutual consent of the parties, expressed in writing. For this purpose, the employee should serve a written proposal to the other party to interrupt the paid leave. The notified party should accordingly express (if it wishes) its written consent for the leave to be suspended from the relevant date and used additionally.
In addition to these two cases, the employer has no right to unilaterally interrupt (for example by order) the use of paid annual leave provided that he has already authorized it for the specified period of time, unless the employee gives his explicit written consent. The same applies in the opposite situation - without the written consent of the employer, the employee may not unilaterally terminate the use of his annual leave, except in the cases under Art. 175, para. 1 of the Labor Code.
Reference:
Art. 175, para. 1 of the Labor Code
Art. 175, para. 2 of the Labor Code
21.05.2021
BDB HAS STARTED WORK ON STRUCTURING TWO NEW WARRANTY PRODUCTS UNDER INVESTEU
The Bulgarian Development Bank has started work on structuring two new guarantee products under the European program InvestEU, the bank announced.
The total resource that can be mobilized in support of Bulgarian companies and public companies is up to BGN 1.3 billion.
The funds will support projects to create sustainable infrastructure in the field of environment and strengthen the competitiveness of small and medium enterprises, the Development Bank said.
One of the instruments is aimed at investing in the implementation of water and waste management policies and is in line with the circular economy.
Part of the tool will invest in the construction of infrastructure for charging electric vehicles. The coverage of financial instruments with a guarantee is expected to reach BGN 300 million.
The second instrument focuses on another specific objective of the InvestEU program - improving access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises, including mid-caps, under more favorable market conditions.
The aim is to improve the competitiveness of enterprises, including by increasing their capacity for digitization and innovation. The coverage of the product is expected to reach BGN 978 million.
The consultations are aimed at potential financial intermediaries such as commercial banks, leasing companies and non-bank financial institutions, as well as at interested borrowers. The aim of the study is to take into account market demand and to help structure the appropriate tools.
For 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.
More information about InvestEU and market research can be found here.
