16.02.2023
THE MINISTRY WITH CLARIFICATIONS ON THE PENSIONS OF PEOPLE WITH TEMC
The payment of disability pensions, foreign aid supplements, social benefits and financial support for disabled people with expired TEMC decisions will be officially resumed by the National Social Security Institute and the Social Assistance Agency in March. This was announced by the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy.
People who have submitted an application-declaration for re-examination at least three months before the expiration of the term of their expert decision and who were unable to appear at TEMC on time due to a delay in the medical examination will have the right to do so. Social payments will be paid in compliance with the procedures and deadlines stipulated in the regulations, adds the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy.
The official restoration of the rights of people with disabilities was regulated by changes to the Law on People with Disabilities, which came into force on January 29, 2023. The information about the right holders will be submitted by the Ministry of Health to the National Institute of Health and Social Welfare and Development each month by the 20th. It is not necessary for people to declare it to the institutions.
National Social Security Institute has already informed that the payments of disability pensions and/or supplements for foreign aid will be reimbursed according to the lists provided by the Ministry of Health in the first half of March.
Personal disability pension due to general illness, personal disability pension due to work accident and occupational disease, personal military disability pension, personal civil disability pension, social disability pension, inheritance pension payable will then be restored and continued of persons based on a percentage of permanently reduced working capacity/type and degree of disability determined in an expert decision of TEMC/NEMC, supplement for foreign aid.
The Social Assistance Agency will ex officio resume the payment of social benefits and financial support for people with permanent disabilities with expired TEMC/NEMC decisions. Payments for the month of February will be transferred after March 15 according to the lists of eligible people received from the Ministry of Health.
16.02.2023
WHAT EMPLOYERS HIRING UKRAINIANS SHOULD CONSIDER
Executive Agency "General Labor Inspectorate" uses the occasion in connection with the extension of the temporary protection of Ukrainian citizens by one year to remind that Bulgarian employers who want to hire workers and employees from Ukraine should provide them with the same working conditions with their colleagues from Bulgaria, as they cannot be less favorable than the minimum ones defined in the labor legislation.
The Council of Ministers extended the temporary protection of Ukrainian citizens until March 4, 2024. The adopted decision is in accordance with the Decision of the European Commission on the extension of the Temporary Protection Directive.
With another Decision concerning the approval of the samples of registration cards issued by the State Agency for Refugees under the Council of Ministers, the validity period of the registration cards of foreigners granted temporary protection, expiring until February 24, 2023, is extended until March 31 2023. A new registration card can be issued to them both after and before the expiration of the extended period until March 31, 2023 at the request of the displaced persons from Ukraine.
In terms of labor legislation, the decisions enable employers to continue to easily hire Ukrainian citizens who have received temporary protection in our country. The commitment of the employers to inform the Executive Agency "General Labor Inspection" about the employed Ukrainian citizens, as citizens from third countries, according to Article 10 paragraph 1 of the Law on Labor Migration and Labor Mobility remains.
The Executive Agency "General Labor Inspectorate" has developed, to help Ukrainian citizens looking for work in Bulgaria, a brochure with information on basic labor rights related to working hours, wages, vacations, etc., as well as the documents required to be provided by the employer before starting work, so that they can, if necessary, seek protection of their rights.The brochure is in Bulgarian, Ukrainian, English and Russian.
At the e-mail BGhelp.Ukrainians@gli.government.bg, the experts answer the questions in a timely manner, for this purpose, contacts for feedback should also be indicated.
16.02.2023
HOW TO PROTECT OURSELVES FROM FINANCIAL SCAMS
Enormous losses are incurred by companies all over the world that fall victim to financial fraud with a changed International Bank Account Number (IBAN). The organized criminal groups that replace this number are on one continent, the victims - on another, the contractors - on a third, warn cyber police officers in an interview with BTA.
Unfortunately, Bulgarian companies are not an exception, and law enforcement officials dealing with cybercrimes indicate that the attacked part with thousands and even millions of euros, and countering this type of crime is very difficult.
According to a victim, the actual damage figures are even higher because victims don't always complain for a variety of reasons, including because they don't think they can recover their losses. Before that happens, however, awareness can be raised for prevention.
The scheme is not complicated - by means of "phishing" e-mail hackers begin to monitor the business correspondence of a given company with its counterparties from all over the world. When a payment is discussed, hackers intercept the messages and change the bank account number, then the money goes to them.
If your counterparty requests a change of bank account, make sure that the email is genuine, advises Tsveta Ilieva, Head of Department at the Association of Banks in Bulgaria. In an interview with BTA, she commented on the main frauds and how companies can take measures against them.
Check the IBAN on which you send money and always access your electronic banking from the official page of your bank, the expert also advises.
The full text of the interview follows:
- What are fake IBAN scams and how do they work?
- These scams aim to transfer an amount owed to a foreign bank account that is controlled by the criminals, instead of the real one. Most often, they target companies because of the high-value transfers they perform, not so much individuals.
Fraud can be carried out in a variety of ways, with criminals becoming increasingly inventive. For example, pretending to be a supplier or creditor, over the phone or email, trying to trick you into paying an upcoming invoice to a bank account they control. Or pretend to be a company you actually have a relationship with and under the pretext that their bank account has changed, or that they temporarily don't have access to your regular account, get you to transfer money to another account, or ask you to change bank details for future invoices.
A sense of urgency, of urgency, is usually created so as not to give you time to think and check whether in reality things are the way they are presented to you. Often times, fraudsters operate before weekends, holidays, when employees are in a hurry to do their work and their vigilance is reduced. A combination of approaches can also be used - phone call, email, letter, etc.
Sometimes criminals pose as executives in the organization and try to trick employees into paying a fake invoice or making an unauthorized transfer from the company's business account.
Another way of IBAN fraud is through fake bank websites that mimic the authentic bank page and emails that invite you to open such fake sites and make transactions through them. You can become a victim of fraud if you use a fake link to access your online banking, rather than the official link that accesses your bank's banking.
The fake site looks very similar to your bank's page, with the same name, colors and logo, it completely copies the real e-banking page, but it is controlled by criminals who monitor your actions in real time and divert the funds to their bank accounts that translate. It is very difficult for people to imagine that while they are on the screen in front of their computer, at the same time, on another screen, criminals are watching and controlling their every step and at the last moment diverting money to their accounts. But the rapid pace at which every activity is digitized, including banking, creates the conditions for new types of fraud and, accordingly, requires new ways to protect ourselves.
That is why it is very important not to use random links and advertising banners on the Internet to access your banking, but always manually enter the address of your bank's web page in your browser, as well as carefully check the IBAN, that is, the number of the account you are transferring money to when your bank sends you a confirmation message for the transfer you are making.
Another common way criminals can gain access to your bank accounts and control the transfers you make is by having malware installed on your computer, which allows fraudsters to access your online banking. This is most often done through the so-called phishing emails impersonating legitimate companies, through which fraudsters aim to gain access to sensitive personal and banking data. They usually ask you to "verify", "update" or "activate" your account, change or confirm your details and passwords, open links and applications, install software on your computer and mobile phone, under the pretext that if you don't doing so will restrict your access to a service or increase your security.
Many people are deceived because they are afraid of becoming a victim of fraud, and ironically, in doing so, they themselves open the door to criminals and give them access to their bank accounts, believing that what they are doing is for them good. The victim persuasion mechanism is similar to how, until recently, people threw money and valuables from their balconies, believing they were helping the police catch criminals. It is important not to give in to such requests, not to provide by phone, email and SMS any passwords or one-time codes that you receive. Your bank will never ask you for such information.
If we can make a comparison with the analog scams we witnessed years ago, giving your details on the Internet is equivalent to a stranger stopping you on the street and asking to make a copy of your ID or bank card. You wouldn't let him do that, would you? So why do we tend to enter our data all over the internet?
- How could businesses and individuals recognize and protect themselves from this type of fraud?
- If you find yourself in such a situation where you are asked to change bank details for invoices due, it is best that you personally contact or meet, if possible, the representatives of the company with whom you usually work and you know. Do it through the channels you normally use to contact them - phone, email - to check if they really contacted you or if you were the victim of a scam. Check any requests that appear to be from your creditors, especially if they are for changes to their bank details for future invoices. Do not use the contact details from the letter/fax/email requesting the change. Instead, use those from previous correspondence or from the company's official web page.
Instruct employees responsible for paying invoices to always check them for irregularities. Conduct staff training to recognize the most common types of cyber fraud and ensure your employees are informed and aware of these types of fraud and how to avoid them. Create single points of contact with companies to whom you make regular payments. For payments above a certain threshold, create a procedure to confirm the correct bank account and recipient, for example, a video call or other secure contact with the company. When the invoice is paid, send an email to inform the recipient.
Do not respond to suspicious e-mails and do not perform the actions that are described in the e-mail - do not open links and attachments, do not install applications and under no circumstances enter your personal and bank data and especially passwords and access codes.
Do not provide your details either by email or by phone. If they call you on the phone and pretend to be a bank or other company, hang up and contact the company on their official contact details to check if they really wanted you. Be especially suspicious of calls from overseas numbers.
If in doubt, contact your bank and forward the suspicious email to them. Be cautious and suspicious of e-mails written with spelling mistakes and those that require you to take urgent, immediate action. Your bank will never send you such an email, nor will it ask you to enter your personal details and passwords, sensitive information, bank details and credit and debit card details.
It is extremely important when making a bank transfer via e- and mobile banking that you compare the IBAN number, not just the amount, on the confirmation sent to you by the bank. Often times, fraudsters, in order to fool their victims, make an irregular transfer from their accounts at the same time and for the same amount, but to a different bank account. Always check the account number you entered, but which you subsequently received via a bank token to confirm the transaction.
If you suspect that you have been a victim of fraud, immediately stop transferring money and contact your bank and the police immediately.
- What would you advise citizens and companies about their safety on the Internet?
- The types of fraud in the Internet space are the most diverse and criminals are becoming more inventive, adapting their methods to the new realities. But there are a few basic rules, and if you follow them, you minimize the possibility of becoming a victim of fraud.
Always access your bank's e-banking from the official website and never from Internet links and advertising banners. They lead to fake pages imitating the real ones and are controlled by fraudsters.
Be suspicious of emails and phone calls from people pretending to be your bank, and those who, for one reason or another, want access to your details. In case you receive such an email, do not perform the actions described in it, do not enter your data or open any links.
If you receive a suspicious work email or phone call, always notify the company's IT department.
Be wary of unsolicited offers by email or phone.
Avoid sharing sensitive information on social media, including information about an employer.
Be suspicious of contacts from dating sites. Do not provide data or send money.
Do not provide your bank account or make money transfers for another person, as this may constitute money laundering and is a crime.
Be suspicious of tempting offers promising safe investments, guaranteed returns and big profits, for example, investment offers or cryptocurrency trading offers. If something is too good to be true, it is most likely just a scam.
On the page of the Association of Banks in Bulgaria, as well as on the banks' web pages, you can find more information about the most common types of fraud, how to recognize them and how to protect yourself from them: https://abanksb.bg/press/ecsm-2021-cyber-scams/
If in doubt, contact your bank immediately.
16.02.2023
ROMANIAN CITIZENS WILL BE NOTIFIED WHEN A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ROMANIAN STATE VIEWS THEIR DATA IN THE GOVERNMENT CLOUD
Romanian citizens will be notified when a representative of the Romanian state views their data in the government cloud. Access to the data in the government cloud will be registered and audited, this foresees an approved government decision, announced the minister of digitization Sebastian Burduja.
“This is a very complex piece of legislation, it required 30 opinions and viewpoints, and it addresses several important areas: the principles of the government cloud platform and how the government cloud interacts with clouds provided by private companies; the classified information policy; the type of data belonging to the government private cloud; the type of data that may be in cloud systems provided by private companies; the access to this data, respectively the way in which Romanians will be informed in practice, in real time, when the Romanian state, state institutions examine their data; the interoperability zone and so on," Burduja said.
He emphasized that the data of Romanians will be in a safe, secure place on the territory of Romania in accordance with the criterion of sovereignty of the data of Romanians, which will be implemented by 2026, as indicated in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan.
"Probably the most important element is interoperability. Last year we passed the Interoperability Act in Parliament. This will allow the migration [of the data] of at least 30 institutions of the Romanian state within the government framework by 2026, and also [the possibility] to apply the "once and only once" principle so that Romanian citizens do not have to go around like fools to the counters of various institutions, the state will ask them for certain information only once, after which the institutions are obliged to exchange the information with each other," said Burduja.
"The administrator of the government cloud is the Digitalization Authority of Romania and its role is very well outlined in this government decision, it is the most important role in the cloud project," Burduja added.
According to him, an important component of the access of the private environment to this cloud is provided. Cyber security is provided by Cyberint, a unit of the Romanian Intelligence Service, with a very clearly defined role in cyber attacks.
"And of course, at the physical infrastructure level, the data centers are under the administration of the Special Telecommunications Service," Burduja added.
As for the migration of the institutions' databases to the government cloud, the Minister of Digitization said that this will happen as a result of an investment of 100 million euros provided under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan.
15.02.2023
MEASURES FOR WORK AT LOW TEMPERATURES
Employers should take special measures to protect the life and health of workers, and winter temperatures impose additional requirements on employers. They are specified in the Ordinance on the minimum requirements for the microclimate of workplaces.
Organizational and/or technical measures can be taken to minimize the risk to the health and life of workers. For example, changing working hours in order to avoid working in the coldest hours of the day, or introducing more frequent breaks. Other measures may be changing the type of work by assigning one that is safer under given conditions, providing appropriate work clothing and personal protective equipment or collective protective equipment (in this case, those that protect against hypothermia and frostbite). Rooms with conditions for restoring the thermal balance of the body, hot drinks, etc. can also be provided.
It is mandatory to have monitoring or means of communication with outdoor workers in isolated workplaces, as well as first aid and provision for appropriate transportation in the event of a sudden deterioration of health to a medical facility.
The Ordinance on the minimum requirements for the microclimate also describes the optimal and permissible minimum and maximum air temperature values in the cold and warm periods of the year for light, medium and heavy physical work indoors. At low temperatures, the optimal values vary between 16 and 23 degrees, and the permissible ones - from 13 to 25 degrees, with lower temperatures being permissible, respectively, during heavy physical work.
Outdoor work must be suspended during dangerously low or high temperatures, thunderstorms, heavy precipitation, high winds, and dense fog, designated as "orange" or "red" by the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology, if they pose a threat to life and the health of workers and for the safe performance of work.
Exceptionally, work is not suspended when it comes to work related to the defense of the country. It is not suspended for work related to the prevention of disasters and accidents and for controlling and overcoming their consequences. Also for carrying out urgent socially necessary works to restore water supply, electricity supply, heating, sewage, transport and communication links and providing medical assistance.
If these requirements are not met, inspectors from the General Labor Inspectorate can carry out an inspection and impose a fine of BGN 1,500 to BGN 15,000. In case of a repeated violation, the penalty jumps from BGN 20,000 to BGN 30,000.
Reference:
Ordinance No. RD-07-3 of 18.07.2014 on the minimum requirements for the microclimate of workplaces
15.02.2023
HOW TO TALK TO YOUR BOSS ABOUT YOUR SALARY: 7 USEFUL TIPS
If you feel that you are undervalued at work and literally "plow tirelessly", without raising your head, just for pennies, then the time has come to go to the boss with a conversation about a salary increase.
This is an unpleasant and nerve-racking episode in the life of any employee, so here are some useful tips on how to prepare for an important conversation in order to succeed and keep a stable nervous system. In addition to specialized knowledge, you will need self-confidence and determination to achieve your goal.
What exactly do you want
It is very important to decide in advance, before talking to the manager, what amount you want to receive as a salary increase. When you walk into your boss's office as a confident, calm professional, you'll look weird if you're stumped by the question of your desired salary.
Think about what pay you think is adequate for your efforts and workload, whether you want a 15% raise, another percentage or a specific amount. But of course, before that, realistically assess the data for your field of activity and the industry in general, as well as your company in particular.
If your requests are adequate to the benefits you bring, do not hesitate to express them, after all, your boss should also focus on some specific data and numbers.
Formulate clearly and state the arguments
If your requests are not based only on the desire to change your car to a newer one, but on specific achievements, then be prepared to talk about them in more detail, but still precisely and clearly.
Make a list of your recent successes and results and turn it into a mini presentation with numbers and benchmarking if possible.
Concrete evidence is usually the strongest argument and the most convincing in a series of explanations for the fairness of your claims for decent remuneration.
Demonstrate readiness for a higher workload
If you think your chance to shine is yet to come, prepare a list of tasks you could take on. Take a close look at how the company works and what other employees are doing.
Perhaps you can relieve one of your colleagues a little or combine two positions in the organization. A high salary is not given for "your beautiful eyes", so be prepared for an increase in the workload after a fateful conversation.
Don't give the boss ultimatums
You can blackmail your boss by leaving only if you have full guarantees of employment from another company, where you can immediately go in case of dismissal. Only in a position of iron confidence is it permissible to use an ultimatum as an argument, otherwise you may be left with nothing.
If you overestimate your importance to the company and are not ready for the boss to easily sign your letter of resignation, then it is better not to start dubious manipulations.
Also, the manager, like anyone else, will feel uncomfortable knowing that you are trying to push him into a corner, and regardless of the outcome of the conversation, this will not improve your relationship.
Don't compare yourself to the salary of competitors
As with the previous advice, this approach does not improve your position in the eyes of the boss. In any case, the possibility of earning more in other organizations cannot be your only argument.
A reasonable response on the part of the boss would be to check your professional competences against the needs of competitors.
Only if you are completely sure of your value and the amount of your contribution to the success of the organization, you can analyze the labor market and show your boss offers from other companies.
Choose a time to talk
It is very important to choose the important moment to talk about a salary increase. A good time to do this might be after you have successfully completed a project or other important task for the organization.
For such an important matter, even the right choice of a certain time of the day plays a role: studies show that after a hearty meal, every person becomes more relaxed and friendly.
Consider Plan B
Even if you are well prepared, loaded with convincing arguments and have no doubts about your high value to the organization, there is always a chance that the boss thinks differently or simply does not have the necessary resources at the moment.
Try to honestly answer the question of what you will do in case of refusal. Will you look for another job, try to work even harder, or leave everything as it is?
Consciously answering yourself will help you feel more confident in an important conversation because you will no longer be at a loss and you will be ready for any scenario. Good luck!
15.02.2023
BGN 2 BILLION FOR BUSINESS. HOW TO GET THEM
Bulgarian businesses will be able to apply for programs worth nearly BGN 2 billion in 2023. Most of them will be opened already at the beginning of the year. The most are the schemes under the National Plan for Recovery and Sustainability.
The majority of the resource intended for business is managed by the Department for Innovation and Growth.
The programs with which Bulgarian business can improve this year under the National Plan for Recovery and Sustainability are five, worth about BGN 950 million.
Up to BGN 1 million for RES
The most awaited is the construction of renewable energy systems - capacities up to 1 MW together with storage batteries. The budget is BGN 200 million, with the minimum application amount being BGN 100,000 and the maximum being BGN 1 million. Own co-financing will be between 35 and 50%, depending on factors such as the region of the investment, etc. The procedure is expected to start in February, and the deadline for submitting documents has been extended from two to three months. It is managed by the Ministry of Innovation and Growth.
"Green" program for business under the National Plan for Recovery and Sustainability is also "Circular Economy" with a budget of BGN 180 million. It is aimed at all enterprises from the processing industry sector for the acquisition of new equipment, specialized software or the provision of consulting services of an engineering and technical nature, preparation of an analysis of the resource efficiency and carbon intensity of the enterprise and possible solutions for their improvement. The Ministry of Innovation and Growth plans to launch it in March.
This year, under the third program of the National Plan for Recovery and Sustainability, innovative small and medium-sized companies that have received the "Seal of Excellence" quality mark from the competitions of the "Horizon 2020" and "Horizon Europe" programs of the European Innovation Council can apply. The budget is BGN 118.6 million. It is expected that the start will be in the first quarter.
The fourth procedure is related to the complete or partial construction of infrastructure in industrial zones and parks. Infrastructure can be technical (incoming and domestic), environmental (charging stations) and innovative (research). The launch is planned for the end of February. The budget is BGN 212.5 million, and one project can receive a maximum of BGN 40 million.
The fifth procedure is under the auspices of the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works and aims to improve the energy efficiency of enterprises with class B buildings. The application will begin by the end of February. The budget amounts to BGN 235 million.
The new "Competitiveness"
Under the new Competitiveness Program, three programs worth over half a billion BGN will be launched within this year.
The first open procedure will be for innovations in small and medium-sized enterprises /SMEs/ in cooperation with a large enterprise. Projects must be aimed at developing product innovation or business process innovation aimed at producing goods and providing services. Activities to carry out research, measurements, tests, as well as to create and test prototypes and pilot lines related to the innovation under development will be supported. The budget is BGN 127 million and it should start in March.
The second similar measure is for innovation implementation in SMEs. The budget is BGN 293.4 million and it is expected to start in April.
The measure aimed at the modernization of family businesses is expected to be launched last. The procedure will target SMEs that are owned by more than one family member. Eligible expenses will be for the acquisition of machinery, equipment, equipment and software related to the production goals of the enterprises. It will be open for applications in the fall. The budget is BGN 117.5 million.
The new program
Under the new operational program "Scientific research, innovation and digitization for intelligent transformation", SMEs will be able to apply for a voucher scheme for more science in business with a budget of BGN 50 million. The forecast of the Ministry of Innovation and Growth is that it will start in the second half of the year.
The most important resource - people
This year, businesses will be able to apply for three procedures under the Human Resources Development Program from the new program period 2021-2027 for a total of BGN 230 million.
The first open scheme is likely to be the "Adapted Work Environment", which is estimated to target around 400 businesses and 91,000 workers. It aims to adapt employees to deal with extreme situations such as pandemics, to develop and implement systems to optimize work processes and increase organizational and team effectiveness, to implement tools, models and programs for managing stress in the workplace and for prevention and prevention of overheating, as well as to train employers in corporate social responsibility activities. BGN 100 million have been set aside for this measure and it is expected to start in March.
The second measure is aimed at youth employment. For this, employers must apply to the labor offices. The budget is BGN 80 million.
The latest scheme is expected to start in October and has a budget of BGN 50 million. The aim is to increase the skills of workers and employees.
14.02.2023
WHAT TRAPS CONSUMER LOANS HIDE
You thought you'd be able to make it financially until your first paycheck after the bigger spending spree around the holidays, but an inaccurate budget or unexpected expenses leave you in a bind.
Offers for quick loans "float" on the TV screen, "speak" on the radio airwaves, "peek" from Internet banners, "pop" out of our mailboxes, "fly" to us in the form of flyers and brochures... However, financial consultants are unanimous – these are expensive and risky services and should only be used in emergencies.
In order not to fall into the traps of hidden fees and unfair practices of fast loan companies, do a thorough market research, calculate how much the loan will cost you, compare the currently available options and then choose the best one for you, the online platform advises "We, the users".
How to choose the right loan for you
It is important to find out how much the loan will cost you and to assess whether you will be able to repay it on time. Don't underestimate the risk that your income and status will change during the time you owe the lender.
Collect all the information about the most important conditions for the granting, utilization and maturity of the loan and compare it with that of others offered on the market. Pay particular attention to the total repayment amount, the interest rate, the APR, the term of the contract, and the amount and number of repayments. All this is contained in the so-called Standard European form, which the creditor is obliged to provide you before the conclusion of the contract, so that you can form a clear idea of what you are getting and what you will have to pay back. Sometimes companies do not provide such a form at all or some of the mandatory details are not filled in.
So that you know in advance what it should say and are prepared to require it to be completed by the lender, We the Consumers provide a sample form in advance.
Experts remind that when comparing the price of two loans, the most accurate indicator is the so-called annual percentage of costs. It includes the agreed interest rate and the fees and commissions payable.
Check the lender
Be sure to check the merchant in the official register of the Bulgarian National Bank website to make sure that it is working "in the light".
Before you sign the contract
Read the contract and its general terms and conditions carefully before signing. In the premises for customer service, accessible information in written form should be placed in a prominent place about the general conditions, tariffs and the order in which the creditor provides consumer loans. You have the right to request and receive in advance and free of charge a copy of the draft contract (unless the creditor refuses to grant you a loan).
Do not agree to illegal fees, which sometimes appear in terms of conditions. These are fees for additional services that you have not specifically requested, and the creditor forces them on you. For example, a phone call reminder when a loan installment is late. Or in case of delay - to prepare a reminder letter or notary invitation, etc. The Consumer Credit Act prohibits the collection of fees and commissions for actions related to the utilization and management of the credit.
Do not accept clauses that provide for unfounded declaration of the loan as early demandable, because they are unfair. Such, for example, are clauses according to which the creditor can declare your loan as due in advance if you delay your payment to third parties (loans or credits to other financial institutions and/or to the state) or any legal actions and procedures are initiated against you for forced debt collection by third parties (your other creditor, the state, municipality, etc.). Such a practice is illegal because it makes you dependent on something that has nothing to do with your credit agreement.
Another unfair clause relates to the demand for illegal interest. For example, already in the case of a credit that has been reasonably declared to be due in advance, the creditor may demand the interest and fees for the entire period of the contract. According to the law, you only owe those for the time you used the loan.
Keep in mind that according to the Consumer Credit Act, the annual cost percentage cannot exceed 50% of the loaned principal. Therefore, do not accept such terms.
When signing the contract
Be sure to insist on a written contract. It should contain all the information given to you in the pre-contract and specifically agreed parameters.
Be sure to pay attention to what document they present you for signature. There are cases in practice in which the company provides its client with an application, which subsequently turns into a contract, and in which some of the details, such as the amount of the loaned amount or the interest rate, remain empty. They are filled out later, in the absence of the user, but his signature is pre-written and in practice he agrees to something that he does not know what it will be.
14.02.2023
4 PERCENT UNEMPLOYMENT IN OUR COUNTRY IN DECEMBER
Unemployment in the European Union was at a level of 6.1 percent in December 2022, maintaining its level for the fourth month in a row, and decreasing from December 2021's 6.4 percent. In the euro area, unemployment was 6.6 percent in December for the third month in a row, and compared to the same month a year earlier, it fell by 0.4 percentage points, according to the latest seasonally adjusted data of the European statistics agency Eurostat.
About 13.148 million people in the EU, of which 11.48 million were residents of the euro area, were unemployed in December 2022. Compared to a month earlier, the unemployed were 28 thousand more in the EU and 23 thousand more in the euro area. Compared to December 2021, unemployment has decreased by 518 thousand in the EU, as well as by 494 thousand in the euro area in December 2022.
In Bulgaria, unemployment in December 2022 reached 4 percent, increasing by 0.1 percentage point compared to the previous month. This corresponds to 132 thousand unemployed Bulgarians in December, compared to 129 thousand in November. In December 2021, native unemployment was at the level of 4.6 percent, which corresponded to 149 thousand people.
In December, native youth unemployment increased slightly compared to November – by 0.3 percentage points, to 11.2 percent. Still, youth unemployment remained below its levels since December 2021, when it reached 14.4 percent.
Youth unemployment
In December, 2.862 million young people (under the age of 25) were unemployed in the EU, of which 2.311 million people were citizens of the euro area. Thus, in December 2022, the youth unemployment rate was 15 percent in the EU and 14.8 percent in the euro area.
Compared to November 2022, youth unemployment has increased by 30 thousand in the EU and by 3 thousand in the Eurozone. Compared to December 2021, youth unemployment has increased by 209 thousand people in the EU and by 156 thousand people in the Eurozone.
Unemployment rate by gender
In December 2022, the female unemployment rate was 6.4 percent in the EU, remaining stable compared to November. The male unemployment rate was 5.8 percent, also unchanged from November.
In December, unemployment among women in the Eurozone was 7 percent, and among men - 6.3 percent, and both indicators remained unchanged from the previous month.
13.02.2023
PUBLIC CONSULTATION OF THE APPLICANT’S GUIDE DEDICATED TO THE COMPETITIVE CALL FOR OPERATIONS UNDER PO 2, IN THE CONTEXT OF INTERREG VI-A ROMANIA-BULGARIA PROGRAMME
From 13th of February 2023 is launched for public consultation the Applicant’s Guide for the first competitive call for project proposals.
The Applicant’s Guide is a document developed in order to help the applicants to better understand the steps and the rules they must follow in order to apply for the first call for proposals. The main goal of this call is to identify and select projects in the field of climate change adaptation and environmental topics under Priority 2: A Green Region, SO 2.4 and 2.7.
The estimated budget for the specific objectives under Priority 2: A Green Region is:
All interested stakeholders are invited to take part in this public consultation and share their comments and proposals! Check the Applicant’s Guide, analyze it and send us your contribution at: robg@mdlpa.ro until 15th of March, 2023. After the consultation, the Applicant’s Guide will be approved by the Monitoring Committee of Interreg VI-A Romania-Bulgaria Programme.
The Applicant’s Guide can be consulted here:
