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.
25.11.2020
People on unpaid leave can still take out an interest-free loan
The Bulgarian Development Bank is working on an option to re-apply for the anti-crisis guarantee program for individuals, for which it received a mandate from the government, as well as to extend the application period until June 2021.
The financial institution is awaiting final approval by the EC on the new terms of the business program in order to be able to provide funding in a larger amount and a longer application period. Upon approval, individuals and companies who will experience difficulty in re-lockdown will be able to benefit from both programs. This was stated by the Executive Director of the Bulgarian Development Bank Mr. Zhivko Todorov during the Third Banking and Finance Forum "The Future of Money".
The interest-free loan program of the Bulgarian Development Bank aims to support employees on unpaid leave and self-insured persons who have ceased operations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The loans are up to BGN 4,500, granted by commercial banks at once or in three tranches of BGN 1,500 each.
"Money has a future, and those we invest in the economy now will guarantee it. The Bulgarian Development Bank strives to support the entire Bulgarian business, from all possible sectors of the economy. That is why we submitted for approval to the EC new, improved parameters of the program, through which access to credit will be possible for an even wider range of companies.
We have set an extension of the application period until the end of June 2021 and have increased the maximum amount of loans to BGN 1 million for small and medium enterprises. Large companies will now be able to apply for the program, and the loan they will be able to use is up to BGN 2 million. Upon approval of the parameters by the EC, we will give the opportunity to companies that have already received funds to re-apply until they reach of the new maximum size", added Mr. Zhivko Todorov.
The main goal of the Bulgarian Development Bank at the moment is to give a breath of fresh air not only to the Bulgarian business, but also to the individuals experiencing financial difficulties during the pandemic of COVID-19. Experts of the financial institution are working on an option in which they can also re-apply for an interest-free loan.
"Our programs are open to absolutely all industries, we are no exception. The Bulgarian Development Bank does not lend, it grants guarantees, gives portfolio guarantees to the commercial partner banks, as we cannot compete with them" said the executive director of the bank. According to him, the Bulgarian Development Bank will continue to play the role of a partner of commercial banks in the country, and is ready to manage more programs if the government assigns it a mandate.
According to the reports of commercial banks, as of November 24, nearly 23,000 people have been approved for interest-free loans, and the total value of loans is almost BGN 95 million. Under the guarantee program in support of business, the bank has confirmed 1004 loan companies in amounting to over BGN 129 million. The SME program is ready to take loans of up to BGN 1.2 billion.
The Bulgarian Development Bank also participates in the beamUp lab program, established on the initiative of the Bulgarian Stock Exchange. For a year, the companies involved in it will get acquainted with the various financing opportunities in order to be able to successfully implement their new ideas.
19.11.2020
WHAT IS AN EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT IN FAVOR OF THE EMPLOYER?
One of the most common questions asked by labor law experts is "What does an employment contract mean for the benefit of the employer?"
People who are about to start their first job, change their current job or the position they hold, are surprised to see that their proposed new employment contract has a clause governing the employment contract to be concluded in favor of the employer.
What does an employment contract actually mean for the benefit of the employer, and should this agreement bother us when we sign such a contract?
In order for any employment contract to be negotiated in one's favor, it should be subject to a probationary period.
The very conclusion of an employment contract with a probationary period is a common practice when starting a new job. Its main feature is that during the probationary period, the party in whose favor the term has been agreed may terminate the contract without notice until the expiry of the agreed term. It is clear and unambiguous enough to express it in writing.
It is not necessary for the party entitled to terminate the contract to be motivated in any way. Termination is not subject to appeal and consideration in the order of labor disputes. During the probationary period, the employer may dismiss the employee even while he is on statutory leave, e.g. sick leave, in which case the permission of the Labor Inspectorate or another body is not required.
According to the legal provisions of the Labor Code in Bulgaria, the probationary period in the employment contract may be agreed in favor of:
- The employer - when the employer wants to check the ability of the employee to perform a certain job;
- The employee - when the employee wants to check whether the work is suitable for him, whether the working conditions, the atmosphere and the work team he likes;
- For the benefit of both parties. This means that during the probationary period, both the employer and the employee may terminate the contract at their discretion. The contract shall specify in whose favor the test period has been agreed. If this is not stated, the test period shall be deemed to have been agreed in favor of both parties.
It is important to know that the law does not allow for the same work with the same employee in the same company to re-enter into an employment contract with a probationary period. However, if the worker moves from one post to another, albeit in the same undertaking, it is permissible to conclude another employment contract between the same parties, with a different content and a test clause. For example, such a case occurs when a secretary in a company moves to the position of accountant. It is important to note that during the trial the parties have all the rights and obligations as in a final employment contract - the employee is entitled to a common basis for remuneration, agreed working hours, breaks and vacations, recognition of seniority and etc.
The test period may not exceed 6 months. It does not include the time during which the employee has been on statutory leave (paid, unpaid, study, due to illness, etc.) or for other valid reasons has not performed the work for which the contract was concluded.
The employment contract is considered final if it is not terminated by the party in whose favor the probationary contract was.
Reference:
Art. 70, para. 1 - 5 of the Labor Code
Art. 71, para. 1, para. 2 of the Labor Code
17.11.2020
More than 300,000 jobs were saved by the state's employment measures
The Ministry of Labor and Social Policy reports that more than 300,000 jobs have so far been protected by the state's measures to preserve and secure employment. As a result, workers in the sectors affected by the Kovid crisis continue to receive their income, and employers have the opportunity to retain their staff. This support for business and people contributes to maintaining the economic life in the country and to reducing the registered unemployment from the levels of the first wave. There has been a steady downward trend in unemployment over the last five months. For October it was 6.9% compared to 9% in May. During this period, the number of unemployed people registered with the labor offices decreased by 67,544 people.
Only with the first version of the measure 60/40 from March 13 to June 30, 9000 employers were supported and 180 000 jobs were saved. The funds paid by the National Social Security Institute are BGN 186 million. The largest amount was paid to the workers in the enterprises of the processing industry - nearly BGN 71.6 million, for the preservation of over 80,400 jobs. BGN 29.5 million for 26,700 employees are directed to the employers from the trade. The Hotel and Restaurant Sector is supported by a little over BGN 22.6 million. Most companies are from the districts of Sofia-city (3,127), Plovdiv (724) and Varna (609).
With the second version of the measure, 142,100 jobs have been reserved until November 10. Nearly BGN 330.6 million were paid to 4,876 employers. Most money was transferred to those working in the enterprises of the processing industry - nearly BGN 150.6 million, to preserve 58,900 jobs. The enterprises from the mining industry have received BGN 32.2 million for 6,300 reserved jobs. BGN 29.4 million for 11,000 employees are directed to employers from trade. The Hotel and Restaurant Sector is supported by just under BGN 41.5 million for nearly 32,500 jobs, and the Transport, Warehousing and Post Office Sector by BGN 28.1 million for 14,000 employees. Most companies are registered in the districts of Sofia-city (1 741), Varna (411), Burgas (386), Plovdiv (363) and Blagoevgrad (236). The application for the third version of 60/40 is currently underway, which will be valid until the end of the year. The applications submitted for a little more than half a month are 1978 for the preservation of 48,691 jobs.
The support measure of BGN 290 preserves the employment of 22,467 workers and employees from the Hospitality and Restaurant, Tourism and Transport sectors. The funds paid amount to a little over BGN 14.8 million per 1,465 employers. Under the Employment for You scheme, 5,733 applications were submitted by 3,813 employers for the creation and subsidization of 15,916 jobs by the state. The places in the sector "Manufacturing" prevail with 31.6%. They are followed by those in "Hotels and restaurants" - 26.2%, and "Trade and repair of motor vehicles" - 17.1%. The currently concluded contracts with employers are 2899, and 5842 unemployed people are employed under them. The biggest interest is from companies in the districts of Blagoevgrad and Burgas, where 1730 and 1510 vacancies have been announced, respectively.
