03.07.2024
WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO FREE ACCESS TO OUR WORK DOCUMENTS
In our modern work environment, information plays an important role, and workers are increasingly interested in the documents their employers keep in their employment records. How workers can gain access to their employment documents?
First of all, it is important to note that workers' access to these documents is free. The employee has the right to receive a copy of them upon written request and the employer is obliged to provide these documents within a reasonable time.
This process of discovery of employment documents not only increases transparency and protection of workers' rights, but also highlights the importance of complying with legal requirements for the storage and protection of personal data in the work environment.
Workers must be informed and look after their interests as part of the employment relationship, while respecting the interests and rights of employers.
Why should workers have free access to their employment documents? Free access to labor documents allows workers to be informed about their rights and to monitor their compliance. This kind of transparency is key to ensuring fairness and protecting workers' rights. Free access creates greater transparency in the relationship between worker and employer. This in turn promotes trust and improves communication between the parties. Also, workers should be able to control their own work data and become more independent in decision-making. Free access helps them in this goal.
By law, employers are required to maintain an employment record for each worker. The employment file contains documents that testify to the beginning, duration and termination of the employment relationship between the employee and the employer. When the employer creates and stores electronic documents in the employment file, he is obliged to notify the employee. The order and manner of notification shall be determined by the Rules for the Internal Labor Code. In the employment contract or in another written form, the parties to the employment relationship may give express consent to be the addressees of electronic statements regarding facts and circumstances related to the employment relationship.
These employment documents can be divided into five categories:
This category includes key documents such as employment contracts that define the job position, salary and work rules. Also included are documents that record the worker's remuneration and social benefits.
This includes applications for leave and sick leave, which testify to the employee's absences. In addition, notes and reports written by the worker himself contain information about the performance of his tasks and projects.
This type of documents includes agreements on bonuses and additional social benefits concluded between the employee and the employer. This may also include consents to the use of personal data for marketing purposes, etc.
References from previous employers that confirm the worker's professional experience are included in this category. Medical reports and certificates issued by doctors contain information about sick leave and medical conditions.
This includes correspondence, as well as training materials and information related to the work tasks and professional development of the worker.
When it comes to rights and transparency in the working environment, workers' free access to their employment documents is essential. This access ensures the protection of rights, supports transparency and promotes equality and justice.
Reference:
Art. 128a of the Labor Code
Art. 128b of the Labor Code
Art. 3, Art. 4, Art. 5, Art. 6 of the Ordinance on the type and requirements for the creation and storage of electronic documents in the employee's employment file
02.07.2024
INTERNSHIP IS A VALUABLE CURRENCY ON THE LABOR MARKET
Internships are the currency with which businesses 'buy' pupils and students in search of career development. The European Union is looking for a way to ease their supply to reduce turnover and retain talent, especially among 15-29-year-olds.
The reason is that there is a serious "neither" generation (that neither works nor studies), although it will decrease to 11.7% in the EU in 2022. But due to the aging population, high digitalization and high demand, the supply of internships is more challenging. The number of paid internships with social benefits and with marketing hype is increasing, but we can talk about the quality and benefits of it when actually starting work or when returning to the company that provided this opportunity.
It is often a requirement of employers that candidates have previous experience and this is a difficulty for young people. A solution to this problem is internship programs, whether in private companies, non-governmental organizations or in the administration. This option benefits both parties – students and learners get the practical experience and referrals they need, and employers find enthusiastic employees at a relatively low (or even no) cost. An internship is a good opportunity for companies to train new employees and test their abilities before hiring them full-time – i.e. a kind of trial period. After completing successful internships, many young people remain employed and are immediately a valuable addition because they already know the team, the work environment and the requirements of the position.
Statistics show that nearly 90% of companies in Bulgaria offer or have offered internships, with about 30% having their own internship programs, and more than half accepting interns even without special programs. The shortage of qualified and even unqualified personnel makes more and more companies turn to educational institutions in search of new personnel. The internship is the first step in the process of creating good employer-employee relations.
According to a Eurobarometer survey from April 2023, four out of five young people surveyed have done at least one internship, and for one in five it was their first professional experience. 68% found a job afterwards, with more than half of them signing a contract with the same employer. The share of young Europeans with internships in another country is growing - 21%, compared to 9% in 2013. More than half of the interns were paid. In March 2024, the European Commission proposed to improve working conditions for trainees, including for "fair pay", but there is still no decision on how to ensure longer traineeships (over 6 months), which is also a condition for more probable detention.
This challenging context is even more dramatic in Bulgaria, where, according to the National Statistical Institute, for 2023 in the age group 15-29, inactive youth is 13.8%. According to data from the Employment Agency for the period 2021 - 30.06.2023, internships are most often provided in the sectors "Trade; Automobile and Motorcycle Repair', 'Government', 'Manufacturing Industry' and 'Professional Activities and Research'. About two-thirds of the youth were employed in them. In 2022, 3,876 young people are included in state programs and measures for employment and training.
01.07.2024
FAMILY BUSINESSES CAN APPLY FOR BGN 117.5 MILLION UNDER THE COMPETITIVENESS PROGRAM
Family businesses, enterprises from the creative industries and crafts can apply for a grant of BGN 117.5 million. The procedure under the "Competitiveness and Innovations in Enterprises" Program will support the improvement of the production capacity of micro- and small enterprises.
They can apply for the acquisition of new machinery, equipment, tools, as well as specialized software. There is also an opportunity to promote market performance through the creation of an online store for the products or services offered by the enterprises. The procedure also provides support for the introduction of ICT systems/modules to improve management, production and logistics processes in companies.
The minimum amount of the grant for the projects of family businesses, enterprises from the creative industries and crafts is BGN 15,000, and the maximum - BGN 150,000. The co-financing, which will be provided under the "Competitiveness and Innovations in Enterprises" Program, is up to 75% for family businesses and those from the creative industries, and for companies from the craft sector – up to 85%.
The application is entirely electronic through the Information System for the Management and Monitoring of EU Funds in Bulgaria ISUN 2020 at the following link: https://eumis2020.government.bg/bg/s/Procedure/Info/a7078bcc-df9d-49ba-a5e5-ee054645e3aa
The deadline for submitting project proposals is September 16, 2024.
28.06.2024
SLIGHT DECREASE IN UNEMPLOYMENT IN MAY
The Employment Agency reports a level of registered unemployment of 5.4% in May. The decrease is 0.24 percentage points compared to April. The total number of registered unemployed persons at the end of the month was just over 154,000 - 6,700 less than the previous month.
Employment
- Those who started work: In May, about 17,400 unemployed people started work, which is more than 1,100 more than in April.
- Other groups: Including 360 pensioners, students and employed people who also found work with the help of the employment offices.
New registrations of unemployed
- New registrations: In May, just over 18,300 new unemployed persons registered at the labor offices, which is 17% less than in April.
- Other groups: In addition, around 3,400 employed, learners and pensioners have registered, an increase of over 2,100 persons compared to the previous month.
Activation of inactive persons
- Activation: Thanks to the efforts of Roma and youth mediators, as well as labor mediators, more than 4,000 persons inactive on the labor market were activated in May.
Free workplaces
- Primary Market: The number of job vacancies reported fell to around 11,500 in May, down from 15,600 in April.
- Real economy: The most vacancies are in manufacturing (about 25%), trade (about 17%), hotels and restaurants (about 12%), public administration (about 11%), construction (about 6%) and administrative and support activities (about 5%).
Subsidized jobs
- Risk groups: About 4,400 representatives of risk groups found work in May through subsidized jobs.
- State budget: 56 people started work under employment programs and measures financed by the State budget.
- ESF+: 4,342 people started work on projects of the Human Resources Development Program 2021-2027, financed by ESF+.
- Vouchers for trainings: About 4,900 vouchers for digital trainings have been issued under the project "Component 2: Trainings for DI-GI skills and competences" under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan.
Most wanted professions
In the month of May, the professions most in demand by businesses include:
- Sellers;
- Personnel in the field of personal services;
- Workers in the mining and processing industry;
- Construction and transport workers;
- Waste collection and related workers;
- Staff caring for people;
- Machine operators of stationary machines and equipment;
- Drivers of motor vehicles and mobile equipment;
- Skilled workers in the production of food, clothing, wooden products and related;
- Cleaners and helpers;
- Economic and administrative specialists, etc.
The past month saw an improvement in the labor market with a decrease in unemployment and an increase in the number of people starting work. However, the number of vacancies in the primary market has shrunk.
27.06.2024
SCIENTIFICLY PROVEN: YOU HAVE A BIG INFLUENCE BY SPEAKING IN A LOWER VOICE
Scientific research has confirmed that you can influence your interlocutors much more strongly if you lower your voice in the first minutes of communication.
People tend to associate this way of speaking with more prestige, says Dr. Joey Chen. She and her colleagues focused in this study on the influence of the voice on the transmission of status. In other words, what impression do people make about themselves and how does this affect the behavior of others.
After a series of experiments, it turns out that by speaking quietly, with a lower and denser voice, they achieve both an effect of prestige and dominance. In the first case, they gain respect. In the second case, it is also mixed with a certain amount of awe.
In one of the experiments, the participants were gathered live and had to complete a group task. The scientists found that those who lowered their voices at the beginning gave the impression of dominance to others. The others were more willing to listen to them, comply and carry out what they asked and suggested for the completion of the task.
In another experiment, participants listened to audio recordings without seeing the speakers and had to make judgments about them. "We found that when the voice on the recording was lowered, people judged the person as more authoritative and stronger," commented Dr. Chen.
"Our study adds to the evidence that humans, like many other animals, use their voices to signal and assert dominance over others. Furthermore, no matter what groups we observed—with what culture and in what context, when communicating, people inevitably split into leaders and followers and a kind of hierarchy is formed," summarizes the head of the study.
This study focuses on the first minutes of communication, in which strangers form their first impressions of each other. But other research shows that when you talk to your boss, colleagues or familiar partners, the same mechanisms are at work. A quiet and deep voice instills respect and dominance in them, they begin to listen to you and you have a better chance of achieving what you want.
The shouts, the high and shrill voice reveal a nervous, aggressive, ill-mannered person who is not confident in himself, cannot control himself and when communicating, he compensates by using his behavior to intimidate and impose himself by force.
The result is that the natural defensive reaction of his interlocutors is triggered and they become less inclined to cooperate with him. They don't even want to listen to him because he annoys and worries them with his way of speaking.
26.06.2024
HOW PAY CHANGES WHEN WORKING HOURS ARE REDUCED
In business life, it is possible for working hours to change due to various circumstances. However, it is important to realize that these changes do not automatically lead to a reduction in wages. What exactly does the Bulgarian Labor Code provide in this context?
In modern society, where labor relations develop at a dynamic pace, the question of the amount of labor remuneration is of critical importance. The remuneration agreed in the employment contract is a right of the worker. Employers cannot impose wage reductions unilaterally and without workers' consent.
The law is clear - for any change in the amount of labor remuneration, written consent is required from both partners in the labor relationship - worker or employee and employer.
If an employer decides unilaterally to reduce the remuneration without the employee's consent, this is considered a violation of the law. Such action may result in legal consequences, including litigation and liability for compensation.
The inadmissibility of unilateral reductions in labor remuneration not only protects the rights of workers, but also affirms the principle of mutual trust and respect in labor relations. Bulgarian legislation clearly emphasizes that any change in wages must be the result of a mutual understanding and agreement between the employer and the employee.
Is it possible to unilaterally reduce working hours and salary? When the employer introduces part-time work, this does not mean an automatic and unilateral reduction of the remuneration. In order for such a change to take place, a clear and express written agreement between the employee and the employer is required.
It is important to emphasize that the order to reduce working hours cannot determine a new, reduced amount of wages corresponding to the reduced working hours. This question does not constitute a dispute as to whether the amount of remuneration should be reduced, because it objectively follows from the reduced working hours.
The common mistake that employers make is to specify in an order to reduce working hours, respectively, a point governing the remuneration, which they define as "proportional to the time worked". It is important to know that this does not meet the requirements of the Labor Code.
According to the Labor Code in Bulgaria, a change in the amount of remuneration is possible only and only with the written consent of the employee and the employer. This requires an additional written agreement, where the clauses related to the modification of the salary amount must be clearly stated.
Only through a unilateral order of the employer can a change in the amount of pay be made, if the amount is increased through it. This means that the employer can only unilaterally increase the remuneration, without the need for prior consent from the employee.
In the event that the worker does not agree with the proposed change in the remuneration conditions and does not sign the additional agreement, this does not give rise to legal consequences. In this case, the terms of the already signed employment contract or additional agreement apply.
It is important that all workers and employers are informed about these legal aspects in order to ensure clarity, fairness and legality in the employment relationship.
Reference:
Art. 66, para. 1, item 1 of the Labor Code
Art. 118, para. 1 and para. 3 of the Labor Code
Art. 119 of the Labor Code
Art. 138a, para. 2 of the Labor Code
Art. 272, para. 1 of the Labor Code
Art. 210, para. 4 of the Labor Code
25.06.2024
WE CAN NOW GET OUR OWN DIGITAL SKILLS CERTIFICATE
With a new module from the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy, you can now get yourself a digital skills certificate to present yourself when applying for a job. The module for self-certification of digital competence allows every citizen to test their knowledge for free and receive a certificate that they have basic and/or intermediate level digital skills that have been acquired in the work process or through self-study, explained the minister of labor and social policy Ivaylo Ivanov.
The module is available at the following email address: selfexam.chrdri.net or at the following link https://skills.mlsp.government.bg/ in the "Self-certify your digital skills" section. Testing and certification are conducted online by the Center for Human Resource Development and Regional Initiatives at the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy. After a successfully passed test, an electronic certificate for the level of digital competence is issued, which is based on a model approved by the Minister of Labor and Social Policy, the department adds. The process is easy and convenient for everyone who wants to confirm their digital competences and get a certificate. Certification provides numerous benefits, including increased competitiveness in the labor market, improved professional skills and development opportunities.
To access the module, pre-registration is required, based on which an access link is sent to e-mail. After verifying the registration, with a username and password, you can proceed to the self-certification in the module. If questions arise, support can be requested from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. from the call center on tel. 0876 91 68 84. Technical and methodological assistance will be provided by e-mail: selfexam_support@chrdri.net, added by MLSP.
"Many of the knowledge and skills today are acquired on the job or through self-study, but until now there was no way for a person to prove that he possessed them. The module for their self-validation is a chance both for people to find a better realization on the labor market and for employers to find the workers and employees who are most suitable for their activity", commented Minister Ivanov.
The module for self-certification of digital competence was created under Component 2 of project P3 - C1.13 "Providing digital skills training and creating a platform for adult education", which is financed under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. The main goal of the project is to provide opportunities for the acquisition and certification of digital skills and competencies by the workforce, which will be in line with the new needs of the labor market and the entry of digital technologies into socio-economic processes. With the implementation of the project activities, the employability of the labor force will be improved, including people in a disadvantaged position on the labor market.
24.06.2024
HOW FAMILY BUSINESSES AND ARTISANS CAN GET FINANCIAL HELP
The Ministry of Innovation and Growth launched an information campaign to present the procedure "Support for family businesses, enterprises from creative industries and crafts" from the "Competitiveness and Innovations in Enterprises" Program.
As part of the campaign, experts from the General Directorate "European Funds for Competitiveness" at the Ministry of Innovation and Growth - managing body of the Program "Competitiveness and Innovation in Enterprises" will present the procedure to interested parties in the cities of Blagoevgrad, Montana, Gabrovo, Targovishte, Plovdiv and Haskovo.
The information days are open and will be held according to the following schedule:
The main objective of the procedure is to encourage investments to improve production capacity and optimize business processes in family businesses, enterprises from the creative industries and crafts and thus contribute to increasing their competitiveness and strengthening their market presence.
The total budget is BGN 117.5 million. The minimum amount of the grant for an individual project is BGN 15,000, and the maximum is up to BGN 150,000. The maximum intensity (percentage) of the co-financing that will be provided under the Program " Competitiveness and Innovation in Enterprises' is up to 75% for family businesses and enterprises from the creative industries, and up to 85% for enterprises from the craft sector.
The measure is mainly aimed at micro- and small enterprises, as they can apply for the acquisition of new machines, facilities, equipment, tools, as well as specialized software, ensuring the improvement of their production capacity. There is also an opportunity to promote market performance through the creation of an online store for the products or services offered by the companies.
The deadline for submitting project proposals is 16:30 on September 16,2024.
Link to register for the information days.
24.06.2024
THE EMPLOYMENT AGENCY HAS STARTED ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR TRAINING WITH VOUCHERS FOR EMPLOYED PEOPLE
The Employment Agency accepts applications for training with vouchers under the "Qualification, skills and career development of employed persons" project. Eligible candidates for participation are employed and self-employed persons.
The project is financed by the Human Resources Development Program 2021-2027, co-financed by the European Union through the European Social Fund Plus. It aims to provide support for professional development and flexible training opportunities, as well as to increase professional qualifications and skills, including and digital. Its total budget is BGN 50 million. It is expected that 13,900 employees will be included in the training.
It is planned to provide training for the acquisition and improvement of a professional qualification or a qualification in a part of a profession. The employment agency will also provide vouchers for courses in foreign language communication, for mathematical competence and for competence in the field of exact sciences, technology and engineering. Employed and self-employed people will also be able to take digital competence training for advanced level (5 and 6 according to DigComp) and highly specialized level (7 and 8 according to DigComp), as well as for acquiring personal and social competence and learning skills. Vouchers will also be available for entrepreneurial competence courses.
Training with vouchers will contribute to the achievement in 2030 of the national goal in the Employment Strategy: 35.4% of all people aged 25 to 64 have been trained in the previous year, as well as to increase the share of the population with at least basic digital skills.
Find your desired training and training provider here.
Applications for training vouchers can only be submitted by electronic application here. After submitting the application, the applicant will receive by e-mail information about the number under which he is registered in the system of the Employment Agency. If approved, he will be issued an electronic voucher for the requested training, and if not approved, he will receive a reasoned answer.
Additional information, as well as consultation on inclusion in training with vouchers, can be obtained at all labor offices in the country and at the Central Office of the Employment Agency.
21.06.2024
NEARLY 6,300 UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE WILL BE INCLUDED IN TRAININGS UNDER PROJECTS OF THE SOCIAL PARTNERS
The Employment Agency signed contracts with the social partners for the implementation of projects under the National Employment Action Plan in 2024.
The projects will provide an opportunity for 6,278 unemployed persons to participate in training for the acquisition of a professional qualification and/or key competence, and at least 35% of them will be included in employment afterwards.
The trainings are aimed at vulnerable groups on the labor market - unemployed youth up to 29 or over 55, long-term unemployed, persons with low or unsought professional qualifications and a lack of key competences, including with low education, as well as to persons outside the labor force, discouraged persons and others.
The projects of the social partners to be implemented in 2024 are:
"WORTHY FUTURE" project of the Association of Industrial Capital in Bulgaria - provides for the inclusion of 880 unemployed persons in training for the acquisition of key competencies and professional training in 16 professions, of which at least 320 persons will be included in employment.
According to the "EFFECTIVE MEASURES FOR EMPLOYMENT" project of the Bulgarian Industrial Association, trainings on "Personal skills for teamwork, in the process of employment" will be held for 240 persons and "Effective time management" for 300 persons. A total of 906 unemployed people will acquire professional qualifications in 19 different professions, and 329 of them will be provided with employment in the profession acquired by the training.
In the activities of the "TOMORROW - Successful Labor Realization" project of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, it is planned to include 877 unemployed persons in training in 14 professions and acquisition of personal competence, social competence and competence to acquire learning skills. 321 persons will be provided with employment in the profession acquired through the project training.
In the activities of the project "KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS FOR WORK - 3" of the Confederation of Employers and Industrialists in Bulgaria, it is planned to include 940 unemployed persons in training in 15 professions and the acquisition of personal competence, social competence and competence to acquire learning skills and effective communication skills. 329 persons will be provided with employment in the profession acquired through the project training.
"KNOW AND WE CAN MORE" project of the Union for Economic Initiative will give 705 unemployed people the opportunity to undergo training on the key competence "Personal competence, social competence and competence to acquire learning skills" on the topic "Management of personal effectiveness". The persons included will have the opportunity to undergo professional training in one of the 12 professions foreseen. This will give a chance to at least 248 of the 705 trained persons to be placed in suitable jobs requested by employers - project partners.
The "CHANCE FOR GREEN AND SOCIAL EMPLOYMENT" project of the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria includes training for 1,050 people in seven professions. Employment will be ensured for at least 56.4% of the unemployed persons included in the project trainings, and the employment will be in accordance with the qualification acquired under the project.
Under Project "HORIZONTI 9" of Confederation of Labor "PODKREPA" trainings will be held on key competence "Personal competence, social competence and competence for acquiring learning skills" - topic "Skills for competitive inclusion in the labor market" for 920 persons. The persons involved will acquire qualifications in 15 professions. After the successful completion of the training, employment will be provided to 376 persons.
In implementing the projects of the social partners, the Employment Agency will apply a complex approach. Specialized services will be provided for counseling and motivating the unemployed to actively participate in the planned trainings for professional qualifications and key competencies sought in the labor market. A large part of those who have successfully completed vocational training will be employed for a period of no less than 3 months in the primary labor market or in subsidized jobs, and the funding will be shared between the state and employers.
