01.02.2024

THE "DEVELOPMENT OF INNOVATIONS IN ENTERPRISES" PROCEDURE WITH A BUDGET OF BGN 127 MILLION IS OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS

The Ministry of Innovation and Growth has opened for applications the "Development of Innovations in Enterprises" procedure. It is part of the support for Bulgarian business under the "Competitiveness and Innovations in Enterprises" Program. Its budget is BGN 127 million. The documents for it are submitted entirely online through the ISUN 2020 system until 4:30 p.m. on May 15, 2024.

Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), companies with up to 3,000 employees and large companies in partnership with SMEs will be able to benefit from grants. Their projects must be focused on one of the five thematic areas of the Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialization - "Informatics and ICT", "Mechatronics and microelectronics", "Healthy living industry, bioeconomy and biotechnologies", "New technologies in creative and recreational industries" and "Clean technologies, circular and low-carbon economy".

The minimum amount of funding under the procedure is BGN 50,000. The maximum amount depends on the size of the companies. For micro enterprises it is BGN 250,000, for small ones - BGN 400,000, and for the rest - BGN 500,000. Co-financing is from 25% to 60% compared to the category of companies.

Support will be provided for the development of product or business process innovations related to research, testing, measurement and validation, as well as the creation and testing of prototypes and pilot lines. More activities to protect industrial property rights at the national and international level of the developments under the project will be financed.

It will be permissible to develop innovations in various spheres of the economy. For example in the field of artificial intelligence and industrial capacity building, cloud computing (Big Data, Grid and Cloud Technologies), communication networks including wireless sensor networks and wireless communication or control, development of ICT approaches in engineering, medicine, creative and leisure industries , the digitization of cultural and historical heritage, telemedicine, blockchain technologies, etc. Among the priorities is also the creation of innovations in the field of autonomous robots and systems to be implemented in industry and in sectors with a long-term shortage of personnel.

More activities to develop new methods for clean production, storage, processing and reaching the end users of specific Bulgarian ingredients and products will be able to receive funding. Support can be provided for the development of hydrogen-based technologies and the use of hydrogen in industry, energy, transport and the home. Funds under the procedure will also be allocated for the development of innovations for the needs of in-vitro processes, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, as well as for new solutions and digitization of cultural and creative industries such as performing and visual arts, media, libraries, etc.

31.01.2024

REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTERPRISES PROVIDING EMPLOYMENT INTERMEDIARY SERVICES

The services provided by employment agencies have a long tradition in Bulgaria.

The regulation of the intermediary activity started as early as 2003 with the adoption of the Employment Promotion Act. The intermediary activity aims to make a connection between the person looking for a job and the employer who needs a workforce.

Staffing services from temporary employment agencies and intermediary services differ significantly, although in practice the two legal figures are often conflated.

Intermediary activity is expressed in providing assistance to jobseekers and employers offering jobs, with the aim of concluding an employment contract. To carry out this activity, the intermediary deals with informing and/or consulting job seekers and employers; psychological support for job seekers; referral to adult education; guidance and support for starting work, including in another populated place in the country or in other countries. The listed services can be provided together or separately, aiming only at the conclusion of an employment contract between the employer and the employee, but not binding the mediator with any of the parties thereafter.

The mediator has the right to send workers and employees to perform work under the conditions of the first and second category of work in enterprises related to national security or in enterprises where a strike is taking place. It should be emphasized that the mediation of employment of persons of the second category, such as seafarers, is an activity that is regulated in detail in the law and can be considered one of the main ones carried out by these persons in Bulgaria.

The main difference between an enterprise providing temporary work and an intermediary is the type of legal relationship that is established between them and the employees. In the legal definition of an enterprise providing temporary work, which is adopted in the law, it is explicitly defined that the enterprise concludes an employment contract with the worker or employee. Therefore, the legal relationship between an enterprise providing temporary work and the employed person is undoubtedly an employment legal relationship, although it has its own characteristics, which are determined by the performance of the work of the worker or employee in the user enterprise.

Between the intermediary and the job seeker there can be no question of an employment relationship. The persons enter into a mediation contract, which by its characteristics is a civil contract, and its subject does not contain an obligation to provide labor on the part of the job seeker. This contract is for the provision of an intermediary service with a view to the eventual commencement of work.

The mediator has no right to demand fees or any kind of remuneration from the worker or employee for placing him in a job with an employer or a user enterprise.

The contract between the mediator and the employer also has statutory minimum requirements. For the sake of completeness, it should be noted that there are requirements for the mediation contract only if persons are sent to work abroad, as the legislation does not contain requirements for the mediation contract for a Bulgarian employer.

The mediator and the person looking to hire a worker may not have the status of traders and the contract they enter into will not be commercial. This will be the case, for example, when a family is looking to employ a nanny or nurse, and the person providing employment services is not registered as a trader.

Reference:

Chapter Six, Section I of the Law on the Promotion of Employment and in the Ordinance on the Conditions and Procedures for Carrying Out Intermediary Activity on Employment

para 1, item 17 of the Additional Provisions of the Labor Code

Art. 23, para. 2; Art. 30, para. 3 of the Ordinance on the Conditions and Procedures for Carrying Out Intermediary Activity on Employment

31.01.2024

IN 2024, BUSINESSES CAN APPLY FOR OVER BGN 660 MILLION UNDER INNOVATION PROCEDURES

In 2024, Bulgarian businesses can apply for more than BGN 660 million under procedures from the "Competitiveness and Innovations in Enterprises" program under the Ministry of Innovation and Growth. With the funds, companies will be able to develop and implement various types of innovations, protect industrial property rights, introduce technologies from the field of Industry 4.0, etc.

For the first time, the Ministry of Innovation and Growth will launch a procedure to increase the production capacity of a specific category of enterprises - family businesses and those from the creative industries and crafts. The budget is BGN 117 million, and the eligible costs will be aimed at acquiring machinery, equipment, and software related to the production goals of the enterprises. The aid for them will be between BGN 25,000 and BGN 150,000.

"Cultural and creative industries have a huge potential for development in Bulgaria. They are a sector with high added value to our economy, which must be supported and encouraged for development", commented the Minister of Innovation and Growth Milena Stoycheva.

With a budget of BGN 127 million, a procedure for developing innovations will also be opened for application. The grant that Bulgarian companies can receive will be between BGN 50,000 and BGN 500,000, with co-financing up to 60%. For example, innovations related to artificial intelligence, cloud computing, communication networks, including wireless sensor networks and wireless communication or control may receive support. Innovations related to the launch of serial production of Bulgarian autonomous robots and systems and their implementation in industry will be encouraged.

In 2024, a procedure for the protection of industrial property rights in enterprises at the national, European and international level will also be launched. The total budget is BGN 24 million, and the minimum financial assistance for a project will be up to BGN 3,000, and the maximum up to BGN 50,000.

With a total of BGN 101.7 million, the introduction of technologies from the field of Industry 4.0 in enterprises will also be supported. The goal is to increase digitization, ensure cyber security and data privacy, as well as increase the digital skills of employees. The minimum financial aid will reach BGN 35,000, and the maximum - BGN 500,000. The grant-in-aid under this procedure is combined with the use of a debt financial instrument, providing easier conditions for obtaining loans.

Until January 31, companies can apply under the innovation implementation procedure with a budget of BGN 293 million. The minimum amount of the grant will be BGN 50,000, and the maximum is differentiated according to the size of the companies.

The funds will finance the implementation of product innovations (goods or services) or innovations in business processes through the acquisition of durable tangible and intangible assets. The costs of consulting and support services for innovation such as protection of industrial property rights, provision of access to databases and libraries, provision of services from laboratories for conducting research, measurements and tests will be covered.

"With this financial resource, we will be able to support hundreds of Bulgarian enterprises that want to increase their competitiveness by implementing innovations in their work. In the Ministry of Innovation and Growth, we have directed efforts to encourage companies from various sectors throughout the country to modernize their businesses," commented Minister Stoycheva.

30.01.2024

THE DIFFERENCE IN THE FAMILY BUDGET BETWEEN THE NORTHWEST AND THE SOUTHWEST REACHES 5000 BGN

We spend one third of our food budget, the annual household income, composed only by retirees, is half smaller than that of other households, and the difference in the family budget between the Northwest and the Southwest reaches BGN 5,000.

What Bulgarian households look like - national statistics have been following for almost 100 years. Therefore, the monitoring of the household budgets, which is shown, is the oldest of its kind to be held in our country. It provides information about the income, expenses and consumption of the Bulgarians, thus showing us our socio-demographic characteristics, how our homes are refurbished and what long-term goods are supplied.

What have we spent our money in the past and what now?

Here are the three main feathers in the household budget in the 1930s and who they are today, according to the latest data for 2022 and before and now, most of the budget is set aside for food. But while nearly a century ago, it represented nearly 70% of the total expense, the percentages are now 30, with non -alcoholic beverages in which it is included. The second -sized cost was previously intended for clothing and shoes, and today for homes and bills. The next one was once heating, and today its place is transported.

The household options are different. It can be made up of 1 person and be numerous. It may either have no children or retirees, as well as be composed only by retirees. The western part of the country holds both records for annual household income. It is the highest in the southwest - BGN 21,000, and the lowest is in the Northwest - 16,000. Accordingly, the budget is equal to BGN 18 600. In view of this, here's what the annual income of all these households is made together. The largest part of it-logically, comes from a salary. One third is formed by pensions, and today the part they provide is greater than 4 years ago, for example. While in self-employment and other income, it is the opposite. Although among the main income, they contribute less to it.

Households with 2 children under the age of 18 have the largest budget. In addition to salary, much of the budget is supplemented by some kind of self-employment, and there are social benefits. Whether there are pensioners and children in a household or there are retirees, it turns out to be not decisive for his budget because he is the same in both cases. The main salary here is, but in households with retirees in them, a large percentage of the income is also a pension. The lack of a difference comes from the fact that a household without pensioners and no children, as we said, can only be made up of one person, which means that the salary in it is only one. Significantly lower-half, is the annual income of households, composed only by retirees, where the main element that the finances are finance is pensions.

What is we spending our money for? After the annual income, we will look at the annual expense. The average household expense is BGN 17 300. The main pen - about one third, is intended for food, alcoholic, soft drinks and cigarettes. At 19% we set aside for our home - for electricity bills, water, household fuels, furniture and maintenance. The third largest feather is for transport. With regard to different types of households, it can be said that for food, home and health, the most of their money spends households made up only by retirees. However, they spend almost nothing else. All other costs to bend to a minimum. The smallest part of their annual budget allocates for food and home households without pensioners and no children. However, compared to others, they give more for transport, free time and other needs.

The survey would not be complete if the purchasing power of households, which is the quantity of a product we can buy with our annual income, if we spend it only for it is not considered. For this purpose, 5 main food products have been selected. Purchase has decreased in terms of some - such as bread and cheese, for example, from which we can buy 90 pounds less today than last year, but has increased against other products such as the meat we can be from We allow 180 pounds more than we could 4 years ago.

26.01.2024

A NEW “CAREER CHANCE” INITIATIVE HELPS JOB SEEKERS

You apply for a job but don't invite you to an interview - what to do? This process can be extremely tired and even cause a sense of despair. To solve this problem, the new workpiece platform and internships Worktalent.com has started collaboration with leading staff recruitment agencies as part of a joint initiative entitled "Career Chance".

The purpose of the campaign is to improve the chances of job seekers or career start by providing a free 15-minute consultation with an expert. This professional can direct and guide candidates how to find the right job easier, give them advice on successful application and interview, and inform them about the trends in the labor market and the requirements of employers.

The Career Chance campaign starts on January 15 and will continue until the end of February. Anyone who registers at Worktalent.com can take advantage of the possibility of consultation by stating their desire to consult at Contact@worktalent.com. The campaign will help many people find the right job for them.

In addition, Career Chance offers useful advice on the application process:

- Candidates are good to request feedback from the employer, leaving their contact information - telephone and email. It is important to realize that the lack of answer does not always mean refusal.

- Experts recommend active monitoring of job ads that will increase the opportunities and subsequently the chances of finding the right position and company.

- Joining groups and communities related to your industry can be useful for imposing relationships and learning about new employment opportunities.

- It is important to maintain an up -to -date and professional profile in the virtual space. This includes a regular update of information in it, adding new achievements and skills, as well as active interaction with content and ads in your area of interest.

- You can improve your performance as beyond the CV, apply to your application and any of the options by which Worktalent allows you to gain a competitive advantage, and these are - a completed pre -interview and video business card.

"Career Chance" can be not only a campaign, but also an inspiration for successful steps in the professional development of any seeking a new opportunity for employment, according to the creators of the initiative.

25.01.2024

MORNING TECHNIQUES FOR A MORE SUCCESSFUL DAY

For many years, breakfast has been considered the most important meal of the day. Although it is possible to dispute this statement, having a routine to start the day well is crucial to whether it will be successful. Here are three things you can do to make the most of your morning and ensure a productive day:

A good morning starts from the previous afternoon

We hope that every night you can put work behind you and that you have a chance to rest and recharge before returning to work. If so, then before you leave work—whether you're leaving a physical office or just getting up from your computer at home—look at the calendar for the next day.

It's really helpful to know what important things are coming up. Perhaps you have a meeting with an important colleague or client. There may be a nagging problem you need to resolve. You may need to do some reporting or data review.

When you remind yourself of these goals for the next day, your brain will naturally help you prepare for them. Concepts related to these goals will begin to pop into your head. You may even find that you think about the problem from time to time, such as when you're walking or in the shower. None of these mental activities need to deplete your energy for the day ahead, but may just help you be ready for what lies ahead.

Focus on the important things

Morning work hours are often when one is most efficient and focused. Your body and brain are rested. You're not likely to be too stressed out by everything going on at work. Often people don't like to schedule meetings as the first task of the day. This leaves you with blocks of time to use for more important and large projects. As an added bonus, there's some evidence that the caffeine from that morning shot of coffee can improve your ability to focus. Even if you generally think of yourself as a night owl, you're most likely to be productive in the early hours of the day.

Find some early victory

The first thing you do in the morning can set the tone for the rest of the day. When you feel good and satisfied with your life and work, you can see work problems as more solvable than if you feel bad. So there is benefit to prioritizing contentment.

A great way to do this is to start the day with a successful task. Organize your to-do list so you can easily find something you can do in 10 or 15 minutes. Completing that task and crossing it off your list gives you a sense of accomplishment. This can make the next and more complicated things on your list seem completely doable.

25.01.2024

DIGITIZATION CREATES A NEW TYPE OF TECHNOLOGICAL JOBS IN INDUSTRY, ACCORDING TO A STUDY BY SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC

A new Schneider Electric survey reveals that, according to nearly half (45%), industrial companies as a result of digitalization will create a new type of operating technology job over the next three years.

The study commissioned by the Schneider Electric of OMDIA was conducted among representatives of 407 industrial companies - from small and medium-sized enterprises to large companies in Western Europe (UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, Denmark and Sweden), USA, China, India and Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines). The study emphasizes the scale of the global crisis of industrial skills, with talents becoming a key challenge for more than half of the respondents (52%).

At the same time, however, it also points to dealing with this problem. In addition to the creation of jobs, over two-thirds (70%) of participants agree that digitalization will help to deal with talent shortages in view of the potential of digital instruments to deliver much more than performance and efficiency.

While raging the crisis with skills, the workplace in the industry is undergoing rapid changes. The goals for durability and advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence and digital doubles, are becoming more integrated in the workforce. The study found that 45% and 47%, respectively, believe that increasing requirements for industrial companies to achieve environmental and social sustainability will require a significant expansion of existing benefits and competences of factory workplaces.

"Digitization is not only beneficial for productivity and overall efficiency. It is vital for resolving some of the challenges related to the people facing the industrial business," commented Ali Hay Frage, Senior Vice President of production and industrial digitization and industrial Automation in Schneider Electric. "There is a real opportunity for industrial enterprises to optimize and improve roles in terms of operational technologies. By reducing the time for administrative tasks and enabled people to better reach their potential, we can solve many of the key challenges they face these businesses, and help build a more sustainable future."

The future of working in operational roles

The study found that more than half of the respondents (52%) consider the acquisition and retention of talents to be challenging, but one that can be overcome, which shows that the representatives of industrial enterprises share a certain level of optimism in connection with overcoming problems with the workforce.

Three of five (60%) believe that the roles of operational technologies will change over the next three years to moderate (41%) or significant (19%). In addition, the large majority (73%) agree that digitalization will significantly change the nature of the work over the next three years. Three out of every ten (31%) believe that quality control roles are most unfolded or improved by digitization.

The survey also found that in the next three years, industrial companies expect new skills to be requested in areas such as robotics programming and integration (49% of the respondents stated that they do not have or have insufficient skills in this field), as well as in processing, visualization and data analysis (an average of more than 30% do not or have insufficient skills in these areas). While respondents say they prioritize investment in data processing, visualization and analysis, programming and integration of robotics are cited as an average priority of only about half of the respondents. Thus, a key recommendation from the research on industrial companies is to work with partners throughout the industrial ecosystem that can help meet the deficit of technological skills through solutions, training and other opportunities to prepare their workforce for the future.

"The changing nature of the industrial workforce will increasingly require investment in digitization to prepare the staff for new roles and to improve performance and efficiency," said Alex West, a senior chief analyzer for the Industry Internet of Things and Sustainability at OMDIA. "If businesses do not proceed with these investments, they will experience a broader and more serious long-term impact of delaying innovation and inability to compensate for talents' shortage."

You can read the full report, entitled "The Future of Industry," here.

24.01.2024

WHAT IS A ENTERPRISE THAT PROVIDES TEMPORARY WORK

The enterprise that provides temporary work is regulated in the Labor Code in 2011, and its rights and obligations differ significantly from those of the employment intermediary.

The enterprise that provides temporary work is a person concluding an employment contract with a worker or an employee, which is why the employment relationship is established with him. The relationship with the worker or the employee continues to develop throughout the entire period of existence of the employment relationship, with each having independent rights and obligations.

What are the main commitments and rules for enterprises that provide temporary work, in relation to legal requirements?

According to the legal definition of an enterprise that provides temporary work, this enterprise must necessarily be a trader. To acquire this quality, the enterprise must be registered in the Commercial register or the legal entity must meet the expressly defined conditions.

Registration for carrying out activities as an enterprise that provides temporary work is carried out at the Employment Agency after submitting a certain form, accompanied by the documents described in the law. Registration takes place after the issuance of a registration certificate by the Minister of Labor and Social Policy or a person authorized by him. The registration of an enterprise that provides temporary work is for a period of 5 years, after which it must be renewed.

The difference between the registration procedures is mainly in the requirements for individuals. For example, for an enterprise that provides temporary work, an insurance document or a bank guarantee in the amount of two hundred thousand BGN is required, which aims to protect the workers and employees who entered into labor relations with the enterprise, in the event of its eventual liquidation.

There is no such requirement for the intermediary, due to the fact that this person has no obligations to the employees after the conclusion of an employment contract between them and the employer. On the other hand, however, there is a requirement for the intermediary to present documents certifying certain education or work experience, which are not required for registration of an enterprise that provides temporary work.

The revocation of the registration of an enterprise that provides temporary work is related to the termination of the labor relations of the employees sent to work in user enterprises.

The emergence of the legal relationship between the enterprise that provides temporary work and the worker or employee occurs through the signing of an employment contract under the rules of the Labor Code. From that moment, an employment legal relationship arises between the persons, which is terminated according to the general rules regulated by law, which means that the legal relationship between the parties arises only after an employment legal relationship arises.

The legal relationship between the enterprise that provides temporary work and the user enterprises is also regulated in special provisions in the law. The contract between the enterprise that provides temporary work and the user enterprise is executed throughout the time that the posted worker or employee is at work.

Reference:

Art. 107p of the Labor Code

para 1, item 17 of the Additional provisions of the Labor Code

24.01.2024

THERE IS NO CONCEPT OF ABSENCE FROM WORK IN BAD WEATHER, ONLY IN DISASTER

There is no concept of absence in existing legislation under impaired weather conditions. The Labor Code (LC) states that the employee is entitled to compensation when he is prevented from reaching his or her workplace for disaster. The emergency is declared by the mayor of the municipality, by the Regional Governor or by the Council of Ministers. This is commented by the Executive Agency "General Labor Inspectorate" (EA GLI). There is no requirement for written notification, but it is good for employees who cannot get to work due to a declared state of state to inform their employers.

The Disaster Protection Act states that disaster is a "significant disruption of the normal functioning of society caused by natural phenomena and/or human activity and leading to negative consequences for the life or health of the population, property, economy and for the environment , prevention, mastering and overcoming which goes beyond the capacity of the system for servicing the usual activities to protect society."

An order for announcing a disaster must have been issued. There are no provisions that are in cases where the worker at his discretion, at freezing temperatures, for example, decides not to go to the workplace. This hypothesis requires leaving the employer's consent.

Even if you can work from a distance, the worker cannot choose on which days to be in the enterprise or in the office and in which one from home. The remote work should be mentioned in the contract and it should be known at what days such an opportunity is provided. Therefore, in bad weather, if the employee preferred to work from home, it is important to find out about this with his employer, and this should be done in writing.

Discharge

The Labor Code provides for the employer to pay the employer to pay 50 percent of the gross remuneration to the workers for the time during which they were prevented from working, but not less than 75 percent of the minimum wage established for the country. If the employee has participated in the rescue work in the disaster, he is paid the full amount of gross wage, the Labor Inspectorate explains.

The Labor Code allows overtime to work in several positions. One of them is to prevent, control and overcome the effects of disasters. "In these cases, overtime is paid in the general order described by the legislator, i.e. the employer must pay more for the extraordinary hours the work done, as follows: for work on weekdays it is paid with a 50 percent increase, for work on weekends is paid with an increase of 75 percent, and work during public holidays is paid with 100 percent increase," GLI commented.

Care for employees in bad weather

The employer has an obligation in the presence of an orange or red code for low temperatures, heavy snowfall, rain, high wind, etc., to comply with the working conditions when working outdoors, experts remind. This is mentioned in the Ordinance on the minimum requirements for the microclimate of the jobs.

There may be a change in working hours to avoid work in the coldest hours of the day. More frequent breaks, hot drinks and more are also recommended. Providing appropriate workwear, suitable personal protective equipment or collective protection means are also part of the requirements. "Monitoring or means of communication with outdoor workplaces, as well as first medical care and conditions for appropriate transportation to a medical facility in the case of sudden poor health, must be provided," GLI said.

23.01.2024

WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON WORKPLACE VIOLATIONS?

Over 220,000 labor violations were detected by the "General Labor Inspectorate" in 2023. 40,160 enterprises with 1,628,790 employees were inspected.

There were 116,688 violations of the provisions for ensuring health and safety at work. 111,983 violations were found in the implementation of labor relations. Of these, the largest number concerns the payment of labor - 24,074. These are the violations that workers most often report, the Labor Inspectorate specified.

In 2023, more than BGN 7.8 million in delayed remuneration was paid to employees. There were 13,362 violations of the working hours, and 14,269 of the employment relations. There were 3,495 cases of work without an employment contract concluded and registered with the National Revenue Agency.

In 2023, there was an increase in the number of cases in which labor inspectors applied the measure of suspension of facilities, machines and equipment, as the detected violations directly endangered the life and health of workers. The measure was applied 466 times, compared to 315 for 2022.

For 2023, 9,979 acts were drawn up to establish administrative violations. The amount of the criminal decrees that have entered into force is over BGN 14.5 million.

The number of work permits granted to minors has also increased, reaching 14,827. In 2022, they were 11,933.

The Labor Inspectorate appeals to workers to report violations of labor rights in a timely manner - while they are still at their workplaces, and to assist the control authorities, which is a guarantee for more effective application of the law.

In order to fully apply their powers, labor inspectors should prove the violation indisputably, which in some cases is related to the mandatory establishment of workers to work at the time of the inspection.

Very often reports are received from workers who worked without a written contract and who were no longer at work at the time of the inspection. They express dissatisfaction that the labor inspectors did not declare an employment relationship, which, however, is beyond the powers of the control bodies, since this violation cannot be established in an indisputable way if people are not welded at their workplaces.