27.11.2020
The acceptance of documents under the new measure "Save me" has started
In connection with the adopted decree of the Council of Ministers № 325 of 26.11.2020, of 30.11.2020 (Monday) the Employment Agency started accepting applications for the project "Save me", funded by the Operational Program "Human Resources Development" 2014-2020 and the REACT-EU financial mechanism. The purpose of the operation is to provide, as a matter of priority, support for maintaining the employment of employees in enterprises that have directly ceased economic activity as a result of anti-epidemic measures imposed against the spread of COVID-19.
The grant amounts to BGN 50 million. This measure will provide support by paying BGN 24 per day for the period of unpaid leave to each person insured full-time or in proportion to the agreed working hours in the employment contract.
The persons may receive compensations for the period of using unpaid leave by the order of art. 160, para. 1 or art. 173a, para. 2 of the LC after 29.10.2020, but for not more than 60 days. The compensations are due from the date of issuance of the order for unpaid leave, but not earlier than 29.10.2020 and not later than 21.12.2020.
If a parent receives a monthly targeted assistance under the Council of Ministers № 218 dated 17.08.2020 to the Social Assistance Agency, he is not entitled to compensation under the project "Save me" at the Employment Agency.
The application and the annexes to the project are submitted to the “Labor Office” directorates by the employers, whose employees wish to receive compensations under the project “Save me”, in the following ways:
Detailed information about the conditions of the Project can be found on the official website of the Employment Agency - here, as well as on the information boards in the labor offices in the country.
Workers in which sectors will be supported?
Under this measure, employees in bars, taverns, wineries, pubs, cafes, language centers, educational centers and other training centers and schools will be able to receive support, Nova TV reports. Employees of companies for organizing congress-conference events, seminars, competitions, trainings, team building, exhibitions and other public events in attendance will also be entitled to compensation.
Eligible for support are those employed in retail outlets in the event that the retail outlet is located on the territory of a shopping center type Mall, with the exception of grocery stores, drugstores, opticians and pet stores.
Compensation will also be available to staff of kindergartens and nurseries, cinemas, discos, piano and nightclubs, and other similar nightclubs for indoor entertainment.
The right to such support will also have those employed in economic activities related to concerts, creation and presentation of live performances such as operas, operettas, circuses and other stage works, museum workers, as well as directors, producers, set designers, costume designers and lighting, technical specialists.
Employees in sectors related to all collective and individual sports events of a training and competitive nature, as well as those working in solariums, saunas, weight loss and massage salons, will also be able to apply for compensation.
27.11.2020
Labor market: Work or vocation
Today, good pay is not a sufficient motivator. People want their work to be meaningful and relevant to others. Although this fact complicates the work of managers, it also opens up new opportunities for them. The opportunity to personalize the work of their employees to such an extent that it becomes something more - from work to vocation.
According to LinkedIn's Workforce Learning Report 2019, 94% of employees say they would stay longer in a company if it invested more in them and supported them in their endeavors. Why don't more companies do just that? It is very likely that the problem comes from the fact that they do not know where to start.
The idea of creating strictly personalized working conditions for every employee seems challenging, but it is far from unattainable. Here are some things you can do to transform your job into a vocation.
Institutionalize support and gratitude
Studies show that even the smallest manifestations of kindness in gratitude have a positive effect on others as well as on ourselves. These demonstrations also help maintain a positive mindset. "It's important to commit to encouraging gratitude and care, because the secret of success lies in repetition," said Dr. Wagiu William Isaac, a professor of psychiatry at Cedars-Sinai.
Find and use each employee's unique strengths
Recognizing and developing strengths is a guaranteed way to increase employee job satisfaction. Human resources experts and managers need to create roles in the work that help people develop their unique qualities and grow both as professionals and as individuals.
Make building relationships between employees a priority
The feeling of connection with others is not only a basic human need, but also a motivator that can make a seemingly hopeless situation in a completely insurmountable obstacle. People can build a sense of connection with both their colleagues and the company they work for. In order for a person's work to become a vocation, both are needed.
However, strengthening these links requires discussing a variety of topics, including non-work-related ones. That is why it is important to provide your employees with a place and time to rest and socialize. When managers encourage their employees to talk about their dreams and the goals they want to achieve in their lives, they receive the information they need to build a stronger connection between the company's values and mission and people's individual aspirations.
Mark both big and small successes
Achieving goals, progressing in an important project and acquiring new skills and knowledge are things that have a positive impact not only on the individual, they can boast of them, but also for everyone else. Leaders need to find a way to show their employees how their work helps others. Celebrate all the successes of your employees and do not miss the opportunity to evaluate the contribution they have to the growth of your company.
Invest in a manager-employee relationship
Managers have a huge impact on the way employees do their jobs. Unfortunately, many managers do not make the necessary efforts to provide their subordinates with what they need. Managers need to set clear goals for their teams, provide timely and constructive feedback, and cultivate good relationships with their employees. Many of these things require social skills that can take years to master and improve. That's why it's important to focus on them as early as possible.
Everyone has the potential to be a better version of themselves. Companies need to start looking at this potential as an unprecedented opportunity to attract, motivate and retain talent. Using the practices mentioned here, they can help their employees turn their responsibilities from work into a vocation.
26.11.2020
EUR 511 million in support of the Bulgarian economy was approved by the EC
The European Commission has approved an amendment to Bulgaria's Operational Program "Innovation and Competitiveness", which allows the mobilization of 511 million euros from the European Regional Development Fund and the Cohesion Fund to help the Bulgarian economy cope with the adverse effects of the coronavirus crisis.
This financial support includes working capital grants for micro, small and medium enterprises, capital investments and loan guarantees, the EC said.
Cohesion and Reform Commissioner Eliza Ferreira said Bulgaria was one of the first member states to take advantage of the Coronavirus Investment Initiative.
These measures have a short-term goal of crisis assistance, but Bulgaria will continue to benefit from additional EU support for economic recovery from the crisis, Ferreira explained.
Modification of this program is possible thanks to the exceptional flexibility provided under the Investment Initiative in Response to Coronavirus (CRII) and the Investment Initiative in Response to Coronavirus Plus (CRII +), which allows Member States to use funding under the policy of convergence to support the most exposed sectors of the pandemic, such as health, small and medium-sized enterprises and labor markets.
26.11.2020
A new campaign for recruiting projects under the National Program for Affordable Housing and Personal Mobility has been launched
The Ministry of Labor and Social Policy has launched a new campaign to recruit projects to be funded under the National Program for Affordable Housing and Personal Mobility. The deadline for submitting documents is May 5, 2021.
Between BGN 10,000 and 100,000 is the amount allocated under the program for projects related to the construction of accessible housing for people with disabilities - construction of ramps, lifting platforms, elevators. Owners of individual residential buildings (houses) that are permanently disabled and move in wheelchairs or in whose families there are such persons can apply for this component. Project proposals can also be submitted by associations of condominium owners in multi-family residential buildings (blocks of flats) in which there are people with permanent disabilities moving in wheelchairs.
Up to BGN 8,000 are the funds for projects under the "Personal Mobility" component. The aid is for the reconstruction of a car for a person with permanent disabilities, and the value of each proposal will be determined on the basis of documents containing technical and financial parameters for the necessary modification of the vehicle structure. In addition, applicants who do not currently have the right to drive a motor vehicle will be able to receive funding for a driver's license course in 2021. The right to apply for this component have people with permanent disabilities, with a proven deficiency of the lower and/or upper limbs and a decision of the medical examination bodies, which have a document that they are physically fit to be drivers.
Detailed information on the conditions and application documents for both components can be found on the MLSP website under the heading "National Program for Accessible Housing and Personal Mobility".
26.11.2020
INFORMATION ON ASSISTANCE FOR FAMILIES WHOSE CHILDREN LEARN DISTANCE
The criteria for granting monthly targeted assistance for families with children up to 14 years of age in the event of a state of emergency or a state of emergency epidemic have been changed.
Criteria for granting the monthly targeted aid:
the child does not attend school/kindergarten due to imposed restrictions in connection with the state of emergency or the emergency epidemic situation;
the child is not placed outside the family by the order of art. 26 of the Child Protection Act;
both or one of the working parents, or a parent raising a child alone, cannot work remotely from home and are not able to use paid leave or do not receive cash benefits for temporary incapacity for work;
both or one of the parents, or the parent raising a child alone, have lost their job, but are not entitled to unemployment benefits or the amount of the received benefit is lower than BGN 915;
both or one of the parents, or the parent raising a child alone, are self-insured persons who cannot exercise their occupation due to the imposed restrictions in connection with the state of emergency or the emergency epidemic situation;
both or one of the parents or the parent raising a child alone does not receive maternity benefits.
the average monthly income of a family member for the month in which restrictions are introduced in the school/kindergarten is lower than or equal to 150% of the minimum wage.
Aid amount:
The amount of assistance is determined by the number of children, as well as by the number of working days on which children do not attend school/kindergarten, as follows:
- for families with one child the amount of the allowance is equal to the amount of the monthly minimum wage (BGN 610 for 2020)
- for families with two or more children, the amount of assistance is equal to 150 percent of the monthly minimum wage (BGN 915 for 2020).
- for families with one child the amount of assistance is BGN 305 for 2020.
- for families with two or more children the amount of the aid is BGN 457.50 for 2020.
- for families with one child the amount of the aid is BGN 152.50 for 2020.
- for families with two or more children the amount of the aid is BGN 228.75 for 2020.
The amount of assistance is determined for each month separately according to the number of days in which restrictions are imposed in the school/kindergarten in connection with the state of emergency or the epidemic situation, but not more than the number of days in which the working parent takes unpaid leave.
How to apply for aid:
The monthly targeted assistance is granted on the basis of an application-declaration submitted to the Social Assistance Directorate at the current address no later than the end of the month following the month for which the school/child institution has imposed restrictions related to the state of emergency or emergency epidemic. environment to which the necessary documents are attached:
Documents on the gross income of the parents for the month in which restrictions in the school/kindergarten have been introduced in connection with the state of emergency or the emergency epidemic situation by:
- employment relationships and/or legal relationships equated to them;
- performing services with personal labor;
- activities in the field of agriculture, forestry and water management;
- scholarships;
- other income.
Official note from the employer that the employee is on unpaid leave and cannot work remotely from home, cannot use paid annual leave and does not receive cash benefits for temporary incapacity for work or pregnancy and childbirth;
Official note certifying that the child does not attend school/nursery/kindergarten/preschool group due to the imposed restrictions in connection with the state of emergency or the emergency epidemic situation (in cases where this information is not provided ex officio);
If necessary, the Social Assistance Directorates may request other documents.
The sample application-declaration for granting a monthly target, as well as a sample sample of an official note from an employer, are published on the website of the Social Assistance Agency, section "Coronavirus COVID-19" - "Instructions for using electronic administrative services in the conditions of a state of emergency» - electronic service № 26.
Where and how the application-declaration is submitted:
The application-declaration with the documents attached to it shall be submitted to the Social Assistance Directorate at the following address:
The monthly targeted aid is paid by the end of the month following the month for which it was granted.
If the measure introduced in the school/kindergarten covers a period of two months or more, the families to whom the assistance has been granted should submit income certificates to the Social Assistance Directorate each month.
26.11.2020
Families can apply for babysitting until 2023
Unemployed parents and those who want to return to work after the first or second year of motherhood can apply for childcare for their children. The Employment Agency's Parents in Employment program has been extended until 2023, with an additional BGN 15 million allocated for this purpose. 5429 families have used or are using the service at the moment.
A babysitter can be hired for up to 18 months, and families may wish to be a relative or relative registered with a labor office. Parents of children up to 5 years of age who are not enrolled in a nursery or kindergarten can receive a babysitter for up to 8 hours a day. People with three or more children up to 12 years old, enrolled in kindergarten or school - for up to 4 hours. If the children's mother or father is unemployed, they must start work within four months of being approved by the program.
The application is made at the employment offices at the current or permanent address, and more information about the conditions and the necessary documents can be found on the official website of the Employment Agency. The total resource of the program is BGN 65 million, and currently contracts for providing babysitters in the amount of nearly BGN 54 million have been concluded. The funds are provided under the Operational Program "Human Resources Development".
26.11.2020
Changes in the measure "Employment for you"
From 27.11.2020, employers and job seekers will now be able to take advantage of the relaxed conditions of the measure "Employment for you". The aim of the changes is to better meet the needs of both businesses and the unemployed.
The changes are expressed in the following:
- increase of the subsidized period of employment to 6 months, instead of the previous 3 months;
- the commitment of employers to keep 75% of newly hired staff for a period equal to half of the period of subsidized employment is reduced (until now the condition was to keep the jobs for a period equal to the entire period of subsidized employment);
- the maximum admissible amount for applied for new jobs for which an employer can apply is increased, compared to the list of staff for 2019 for the month corresponding to the month of submitting the application. It is distributed as follows:
up to 10 people are allowed to hire up to 4 people;
up to 50 people are allowed to hire up to 20 people;
up to 250 people are allowed to hire up to 50 people;
over 251 people (incl.) are allowed to hire up to 100 people.
- eligible for support are also the municipal enterprises under art. 52 of the Municipal Property Act.
Electronic applications under the new conditions can be submitted from 27.11.2020.
All employers with active employment contracts (employees are in a period of subsidized employment) will be able to take advantage of the new opportunities by signing a Supplementary Agreement. For this purpose, they must notify the relevant Directorate "Labor Office" in writing, where they can receive additional instructions.
All employers who want to take advantage of the changes, but their applications are currently being processed, will be able to extend the term of subsidized employment at the conclusion of the contract, but to create additional vacancies (up to the maximum allowable for them under the new conditions of project) will have to submit a new electronic application as of 27.11.2020.
The approval/disapproval of the applications by the employers will be carried out, as before, on the principle of "first in time, first in law" until the financial resources for the respective area are exhausted.
The official website of the Employment Agency will publish the quota distribution of financial resources by districts according to the new requirements of the project, and then regularly - the approved and disapproved employers and a reserve list.
The changes in the term of the subsidized employment from 3 to 6 months will provide the unemployed with better motivation for inclusion in longer employment, and the employers will be supported for a longer period in the forthcoming autumn-winter crisis period.
Detailed information about the conditions of the Employment for You Project will be available on the official website of the Employment Agency - here, as well as on the information boards in the labor offices in the country.
25.11.2020
Changes in OPHRD provide additional funding for youth employment in the North-West region
The Government adopted the fourth amendment to the Operational Program "Human Resources Development" 2014-2020, which provides an additional BGN 368,218 for the Youth Employment Initiative for 2020. The funds will be directed entirely to measures in the North-West region to activate inactive young people, who will subsequently be able to be assisted in finding work.
25.11.2020
How will workers be compensated in sectors closed due to the pandemic?
The Government adopted a Decree determining the terms and conditions for the payment of compensation to workers in economic activities, whose activity was temporarily suspended by an act of a state body during the state of emergency or extraordinary epidemic situation. Employees will be entitled to receive financial support for no more than 60 days in which they have used unpaid leave in connection with the restrictions imposed on the activity for which they are employed. For employees working an 8-hour working day, agreed in their main employment contract, the compensation will be BGN 24 for each day they are on unpaid leave. In the case of part-time work, the amount of compensation will be determined in proportion to the agreed working time in the employment contract.
The financial resources necessary for the payment of the compensations will be provided by the Operational Program “Human Resources Development” through the financial mechanism REACT-EU, as the determined budget amounts to BGN 50 million. The specific economic sectors will be determined by an order of the Minister of labor and social policy.
Employers are obliged to maintain the employment of employees for a period equal to that during which compensation was paid. They must inform workers about the possibilities of receiving funds under the government decree. Those wishing to receive this financial support are required to provide the employer with a written declaration in a form indicating the period for using unpaid leave and their bank account to which to pay compensation. The employer or his authorized representative will submit to the “Labor Office” directorate at the place of work documents for payment of the compensations. The documents will be reviewed within 10 working days after receipt. The Employment Agency will publish on its website information about employers and the number of their employees who have been approved or disapproved for the payment of up to 2 workers after a decision has been made. The compensations will be paid within 5 working days after the approval of the submitted application. Employees who are on unpaid leave and are employed by employers, local individuals or legal entities, as well as by foreign legal entities engaged in business activities in Bulgaria will be able to apply for the payment of compensations in order to maintain employment and income.
25.11.2020
A new measure is launched to help businesses
The state will cover part of the turnover that will be lost by the companies that will stop operating in the three weeks from November 27 to December 21. This was announced at a briefing by the Minister of Economy Lachezar Borisov.
"We continue to look for the fastest measures to compensate businesses from closed sectors," the minister said. We are working on releasing BGN 156 million from OP "Innovation and Competitiveness" to be used for measures that we will coordinate with the business in the coming hours. The National Revenue Agency will also work with us in order to achieve the fastest effect with the measures, Borissov pointed out. He specified that a scheme for liquid support of the business is being developed according to the easiest indicators, one of which is the fixed costs, and at this stage it is considered to be a percentage of the turnover that the companies have lost until they work in all three. weeks.
The "Trade" sector remains fully open and thus we guarantee supplies, production and industry, he added.
Borissov announced that according to information from the Bulgarian Development Bank, a notification has already been received from the EC and as of today the agreements with the partner banks are annexed and the bank's activity for obtaining soft loans through the partner banks is expanded for all small and medium enterprises. BGN 1 million loan, and the big ones - up to BGN 2 million under more relaxed than the current conditions.
Today we accepted new aid for closed businesses, announced at a briefing in the Council of Ministers the Minister of Labor and Social Policy Denitsa Sacheva. This is a decree for determining the terms and conditions for payment of compensations to the employees in economic activities, whose activity has been temporarily suspended by an act of a state body. These workers, who are insured on an 8-hour working day, will be able to count on assistance of BGN 24 per day. BGN 50 million have been set aside for this purpose, and the measures affect a total of 356,000 people, she specified.
On Friday, the decree will be published in the State Gazette, as well as on the website of the Employment Agency, where you can read the information about all the conditions and necessary documents.
"It will be possible to apply for this aid as early as Monday, and the aid will be paid directly to the employees. The employer will have to provide a list of workers. The workers will have to be on unpaid leave and their bank accounts will be provided.", explained the Minister of Social Affairs.
"In the next three weeks, we will try to extend all support measures and make sure that we help everyone who needs help and that no one is left alone. What is going on are measures 60/40 and 80/20, and the patronage care for the quarantined people", she added.
Especially for parents who will have to look after their children during this period, there is a new help that can be used because the criteria for access to it have changed. "The average income of a family member should be BGN 915. If the parents are on unpaid leave, they can use BGN 610 - the minimum wage. Anyone who wants can enter the website of the Social Assistance Agency and see the conditions We will be able to support a lot of parents, as most of them have already used their paid leave, and colleagues from the Employment Agency are ready with the babysitting scheme, which continues so that employed parents can apply for a babysitter to "Schools and kindergartens are more likely to open after the New Year," she said.
She specified that the payment of BGN 1,000 for the first-line medical staff in the fight against the coronavirus continues, as well as the support for general practitioners.
