20.04.2022
ROMANIA'S ABLE-BODIED EMPLOYMENT RATE LAST YEAR WAS 62.1 PER CENT
In Romania, the employment rate of the working population (15-64 years) last year was 62.1 percent, up 1.7 percentage points from the previous year, according to data released by the National Statistical Institute (NSI) on Wednesday.
In 2021, the employment rate of the population aged 20-64 was 67.1 percent, up 1.9 percentage points from the previous year.
Last year, Romania's active population was 8.214 million, of which 7.755 million were employed and 459,000 were unemployed.
The employment rate of the working age population (15-64) was 61.9 percent, up 1.7 percentage points from the previous year. As in previous years, the employment rate was higher for men (71.1 percent compared to 52.5 percent for women). Depending on the place of residence, the employment rate is higher in urban areas (67.2 percent compared to 55.5 percent in rural areas). The employment rate for young people (15-24 years) is 21.2 percent, and for the elderly (55-64 years) - 43.8 percent.
According to the NSI, the highest employment among the elderly is registered among higher education graduates (80.1 percent). 54.1 percent of people with secondary education and 20.9 percent of people with lower levels of education were employed.
The largest share (84.9 percent) among the working population is occupied by employees, which is increasing compared to the previous year (+89,000 people). In 2021, the self-employed and unpaid family workers accounted for 13.7% of the employed.
The distribution of the employed population by type of property shows that the private sector has absorbed 81.7 percent of the population. The public sector accounted for 17.4 percent of the employed population, while the mixed sector accounted for 0.9 percent of the employed.
Skilled workers represent 18.3 percent of the total employed population. A significant share is represented by specialists in various fields (17.5 percent) and those working in the service sector (17.4 percent).
Of the total number of employees, 11.8 percent worked in the agricultural sector, 32.9 percent in industry or construction, and 55.3 percent in the service sector. Non-agricultural activities employ 6.844 million people, with a significant share of those working in manufacturing (22.3 percent), trade (20 percent) and construction (11.2 percent). Of the total number of employees in 2021, 301,000 (3.9 percent) worked part-time.
In 2021, the average length of the working week for the main activity is 39.8 hours per week; 52,000 people performed additional activities, working an average of 13.4 hours per week.
19.04.2022
COMPLETES IMF MISSION IN BULGARIA - DOUBLE-DIGIT INFLATION FORECAST
The team of the International Monetary Fund, which conducted its regular mission in Bulgaria in the period April 5-15, forecasts growth of nearly 3 percent this year and double-digit values of inflation in Bulgaria. The budget for 2022, adopted in February, will lead to a fiscal deficit of about 3 percent of GDP on a cash basis, which is similar to last year's deficit, the forecast said. Given the uncertain environment, economic policy faces serious challenges. Although the recovery from the pandemic crisis has been lasting, the war in Ukraine is expected to have a serious economic impact, including by slowing growth and accelerating inflation, said team leader Jean-François Dauphan at a closing press conference at the Intercontinental Hotel Sofia.
The preliminary conclusions of the experts who conducted the so-called consultations under Article IV of the IMF Memorandum of Association were presented there.
Other economic risks identified included a resurgence of Kovid-19 morbidity, prolonged supply chain disruptions and faster-than-expected tightening of global financial conditions.
According to experts, fiscal policy must continue to provide adequate health and economic support, address the needs arising from the war, and take into account the uncertainty, while striving to avoid pro-inflationary pressures. The banking sector is well-capitalized, but given the unfavorable environment, financial policy must remain vigilant, the IMF mission recommends.
At the same time, policies need to address long-standing structural challenges, especially with regard to raising living standards, reducing inequalities and supporting the green transition. Dauphan emphasized that the Recovery and Sustainability Plan, backed by European funds, has a crucial role to play. We support the focus of the authorities' efforts on improving governance and the fight against corruption, the IMF team said.
According to experts, the Bulgarian economy has shown resilience, going through a series of shocks. However, the war in Ukraine has suddenly darkened prospects and significantly increased uncertainty. The economic consequences of the war will materialize mainly through higher commodity prices, lower demand from trading partners and the impact of uncertainty on investment, while at the same time supporting refugees. High energy dependence on Russia is a serious vulnerability. On the other hand, the financial sector has very little direct exposure to Russia or Ukraine. Given the rapid development of events, it is difficult to predict the scale of the impact of the war, according to the Fund.
From there, they recommended changes that could be adopted with the mid-year review of the budget.
Based on our macroeconomic assumptions, the budget for 2022, adopted in February, will lead to a fiscal deficit of about 3 percent of GDP on a cash basis, which is similar to last year's deficit. This policy strikes a good balance between support for recovery, given the negative impact of the war in Ukraine, and the desire not to fuel inflation. It will be necessary to take a flexible approach in the planned mid-year budget revision, as new needs and priorities may emerge and risks may materialize. This may require a change in priorities and a possible loosening of the fiscal position to a greater extent than currently planned, which will allow the low level of public debt, Dauphan said.
The IMF mission supports the reorientation of the current budget towards more public investment, but warned that the launch of new projects may need to be phased in. In addition, according to experts, wage policy should be based on a comprehensive overview of wages and employment in the public sector.
The budget update must take into account the new needs arising from the war in Ukraine, for example in terms of food security and the provision of crucial support for refugees. In addition, in order to take account of possible contingencies, the updated budget will also need to increase the contingency reserve.
At this stage of the recovery, and given the recurrence of labor shortages in some sectors, IMF experts support the phasing out of the 60/40 retention scheme, "which played a key role during the covid crisis, but it no longer seems necessary."
A comprehensive review of the pension system would help develop reforms aimed at both its sustainability and ensuring an adequate level of pensions, they said.
The IMF mission recommends fiscal prudence, citing an aging and shrinking population, a currency board arrangement and the need to keep buffers in the light of an uncertain environment. Also, the temporary reduction in VAT rates on selected goods and services, introduced as a support measure in the face of the covid pandemic, must be stopped, as it is not targeted and is regressive, Dauphan said.
Bulgaria has huge financial needs in terms of infrastructure, investment in human capital and social protection. At the same time, given the institutional framework, it is necessary to pursue a rather conservative policy towards the budget deficit and government debt. So the question is how to meet these needs without increasing the deficit. We see two ways to do this, said representatives of the Fund. One is tax reform. In our opinion, if, for example, income tax becomes more progressive and possibly at a higher level, it could be a tool to reduce inequalities through redistribution through the tax system, and you will be able to have more revenue to use to finance some of those needs, Dauphan said.
Another way we see is through the efficiency of government spending. In our opinion, there are significant opportunities to increase the efficiency of public investment, public spending on education, health care, social protection and in practice with the same money you could achieve a better result, he added.
19.04.2022
REGISTERED UNEMPLOYMENT IN MARCH WAS 4.8%
The level of registered unemployment in the country is declining, reaching a record low of 4.8% in March. The decrease compared to the previous month is by 0.1 percentage points, and on an annual basis there is a decrease of 1.7 percentage points.
The total number of unemployed in the labor offices also decreased, as in March they were 155,863. This is 4,043 less than in February and 58,189 or 27.2% less than a year earlier. . During the month, 21,547 new unemployed people registered. They are 2,140 more than the previous month, and on an annual basis there is a decrease of 3,632 people. Another 737 people from the groups of jobseekers, students and retirees also registered with labor offices during the month.
The Employment Agency reports an increase in the number of unemployed who started work in March - their number is 15,966 or 3,252 more than in February. Compared to the same month of the previous year they are by 9,181 less. 223 people from the groups of pensioners, students and employees also found work through the employment offices.
The distribution of those who found their new job during the month by sectors of the economy is as follows: 60.9% are employed in the real economy, most of them employed in the manufacturing sector - 19.8%, followed by trade - 15.2% , hotels and restaurants - 10.2%, agriculture, forestry and fisheries - 8.2%, construction - 5.5%, government - 5.5% and others.
3 356 unemployed people from the risk groups were employed in subsidized jobs during the month - 515 under employment programs and measures and 2 841 - under schemes of the Operational Program "Human Resources Development" (OP HRD). The Employment for You scheme under the OP HRD, which started in July 2020 as an anti-crisis measure, has provided employment to nearly 54,250 unemployed people, and in March alone employment contracts were concluded with 1,772 new unemployed people.
The provision of funds under the already well-known anti-crisis measure 60/40 also continues, and only in March under this procedure were approved the applications of 3,188 employers to keep the employment of 67,900 employees.
The number of registered jobs on the primary labor market increased in March - they were 17,319 or 4,243 more than the previous month. Compared to the same month of 2021, they are 1,133 less. The largest share of vacancies in the real economy is declared in manufacturing (28.5%), followed by hotels and restaurants (18.3%), trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (10.8%), administrative and support service activities (6.9%), agriculture, forestry and fisheries (6.9%) and general government (5.7%).
The most sought-after professions during the month are: staff employed in the field of personal services; machine operators of stationary machines and equipment; drivers of motor vehicles and mobile equipment; sellers; workers in the mining and processing industry, construction and transport; skilled workers in the production of food, clothing, wood products and related; metallurgists, machine builders and related craftsmen; waste collection and related workers; cleaners and helpers; installers, etc.
19.04.2022
7 SKILLS THAT DISTINGUISH SUCCESSFUL CHILDREN FROM THOSE WHO HAVE DIFFICULTIES
When she began her career as a teacher of children at risk, most of the students of educational psychologist and author Michel Borba lived in poverty, were bullied or had learning difficulties, emotions or physical disabilities. She wanted to help them succeed.
As an educational psychologist, she learns a very important lesson: people who thrive are built, they are not born that way. Children need a safe, loving and structured childhood, but they also need independence, competence and the ability to thrive.
After reviewing a number of studies on the traits most commonly associated with optimizing children's ability to thrive, Struggle identifies seven skills that children need to improve mental endurance, resilience, social competence, self-awareness, and moral strength.
They are what separate successful children from those who have difficulty:
Most parents equate arrogance with self-confidence. They tell their children, "You're special," or "You can be anything you want."
However, there is little evidence that increasing self-esteem increases school success or even happiness. Studies show that children who give their grades to their own efforts and strengths are more successful than children who feel they have no control over how they do at school.
True self-confidence is the result of a person doing well, facing obstacles, making decisions. If you solve your child's problems or do tasks for him, it just makes him think, "They don't believe I can."
Children who have self-confidence know that they can fail, but they can also stand up again, and that is why we must refrain from hovering over them and saving them constantly.
This trait has three distinctive types: affective empathy, when we share another person's feelings and feel his emotions; behavioral empathy when anxiety drives us to act with compassion; and cognitive empathy when we understand the other person's thoughts or put ourselves in their shoes.
Children need emotional vocabulary to develop compassion. Here are the ways we can teach them this:
Identify emotions: Purposefully identify emotions in the context of helping them build emotional vocabulary: "You are happy!" "You look upset."
Ask questions, "How did that make you feel?" "You look scared. Am I right?" help your child realize that all feelings are normal. How we choose to express them is something that can cause us problems.
You share feelings: Children need to express their feelings in a safe way. Create this space by sharing your own emotions: "I couldn't sleep well and I'm irritable." "I am disappointed with this book."
Mark others: Point out the faces and body language of people in the library or park: "How do you think this person feels?" "Have you ever felt this way?"
The ability to control your attention, emotions, thoughts, actions and desires is one of the strongest traits of success, as well as a surprisingly untapped secret to helping children recover and thrive.
One way to teach them self-control is by giving signals. Some children have difficulty shifting their focus between different activities. For this reason, teachers use "attention signals", such as ringing a bell or word of mouth: "Pencils down, look up."
Create an alert system together and then expect attention. Use phrases like "I need your attention in a minute." "Prepare to listen?"
Another technique is the use of stress breaks. Delaying gives them time to think. Teach your child that he can use a pause to remind him to stop and think before he acts: "If you are angry, count to 10 before answering." "When in doubt: stop, think, calm down." "Don't say anything you don't want to say about you."
Integrity is a set of moral beliefs, attitudes, and skills that create a moral compass that children can use to know and do what is right.
Exposing your personal expectations is a big part of the puzzle. However, it is equally important to give them the opportunity to develop their own moral identity that separates them from ours.
It is also helpful to consider and praise ethical behavior when your child demonstrates it so that he or she realizes that you value it. Indicate honesty, then describe the action so that your child knows what he or she has done to receive praise.
Using the word "because" makes your praise more specific: "You showed integrity because you refused to spread this gossip." "You showed integrity because you kept your promise to go with your friend, even though you had to miss the party!"
Curiosity is the awareness, persecution and desire of a person to explore new, challenging and uncertain events.
To help your children build curiosity, get them to use their imagination. You can, for example, provide them with paper clips to list how many different unusual ways they can be used.
Another method is to model curiosity. Instead of saying, "This is not going to happen," try "Let's see what happens!" Instead of answering, ask, "What do you think?" "How do you know?" "How can you understand?"
Lastly, if you're reading a book, watching a movie, or just walking past someone, use "I'm wondering" questions: "I wonder what he's doing." "I wonder why they do that." "I wonder what will happen next."
Persistence helps children to continue when everything else tells them to give up.
Mistakes can prevent children from getting things done and succeeding. So don't let your child describe their problem as an accident. Instead, help him focus and determine exactly where he stumbled.
Some children give up because they feel overwhelmed by "all their problems" or "all their tasks." Dividing tasks into smaller parts helps children who have trouble focusing or starting something.
For example, you can close all math problems without the top row. At the end of each row, move the sheet down.
Older children can write down each task on a sticky note, sorting them by difficulty and completing them one by one. Encourage them to do the hardest thing first so they don't get stressed about it. Confidence and perseverance are built as children do more and more things on their own.
Optimistic children see challenges as something temporary that can be overcome, so they are more likely to succeed.
However, there is an opposite attitude - pessimism. Children who are pessimistic see the challenges as permanent, concrete blocks that are impossible to move and are more likely to give up.
Teaching our children optimism begins with us. Children perceive our words as their inner voices, so for the next few days, follow the messages you usually send and evaluate the prospects you offer your children.
On average, would you say that you are more optimistic or pessimistic? You usually describe things as positive or negative; for you the glass is half full or half empty; good or bad; through pink or blue glasses? Would your friends and relatives say the same about you?
If you see that you are leaning towards "half empty", remember that the change begins by looking in the mirror. If you see pessimism, write why being more optimistic would help.
Change is difficult, but it is important to be an example of what you want your children to learn.
19.04.2022
CAN ROMANIA SAVE UKRAINE'S WHEAT?
Before the war, Ukraine was one of the largest producers of wheat in the world. But since the Russian invasion, exports have fallen sharply. Whether the alternative routes can pass through Romania - through Galati and Constanta, says Deutsche Welle.
Ukraine's problems with grain are many. Both with the cultivation of the land - because the fields are abandoned, mined or destroyed, and with the storage of the harvest - the warehouses are overcrowded. However, transportation is almost impossible - the direct sea route from Odessa, Mariupol and other important Ukrainian ports is blocked. "Ukrainian ports cannot be used - they are either bombed or there is a risk of bombing," Hansjörg Küster, a professor of geobotany, told ARD.
The problem with the rails
But can't wheat be transported by land to Romania and shipped there? In theory it is possible. But in practice, the difference in distance between the rails in different countries is a huge obstacle.
"In Ukraine, the railway is wide-gauge, while in Europe there is a standard track gauge," explains Kuster. What does this mean specifically? In most European countries the distance between the inner sides of the rails is 1435 mm, while in Ukraine it is 1520 mm. This is a standard in the countries of the former Soviet Union that is still in force today.
Respectively, if trains with goods from Ukraine reach the border, they cannot simply continue to Moldova or further - to Romania. "Either the cargo has to be transferred or new wagons have to be bought. And road transport is extremely expensive," says Kuster.
The poorer countries in Africa and the Middle East depend on Ukraine's relatively cheap grain. There is already a shortage of Ukrainian wheat, and recently prices have risen sharply. Wheat grown in Germany and Western Europe is not a suitable substitute, as it is too expensive for countries such as Morocco, Egypt and Algeria.
According to the expert Kuster, there is simply no solution to the problem. As these are huge quantities, transport by plane or truck is excluded. It is not possible to transport Ukrainian wheat by train, and there are no other ports nearby. The Baltic countries or Finland, where the track gauge is the same as in Ukraine, can only be reached by transiting through Russia or Belarus - ie this option is dropped.
The help of Bucharest
If you look at the map of the world and the list of major importers of Ukrainian wheat, you can see that the only logical routes pass through the Black Sea. That is, through Romania.
Last week, government representatives and transport experts from Romania, Moldova and Ukraine met in Bucharest with EU Transport Commissioner Adina Valian. She pointed out that exports from Ukraine and Moldova are currently being discussed at European level, and that Romania can help in this regard.
Valian specifically mentioned the Danube ports of Galati and Sulina, as well as Constanta, which could "serve as gates to the Black Sea". And a shuttle system could be built between Constanta and some smaller war-torn ports in Ukraine. There is a railway line to Galati with a track gauge like the Ukrainian one. Delivery of goods from Ukraine to Galati would be "very easy", the commissioner said.
Perspectives and realities
But things are not so simple. A grain trader from Odessa complained on Romanian television that the railways around the border were in poor condition. And the rails near Galati have been damaged for years. Meanwhile, Romanian Transport Minister Sorin Grindianu has promised that the line to Galati will be repaired in the next 100 days.
Agricultural expert Kuster, however, emphasizes that it will be very expensive to load Ukrainian wheat on ships outside the country. But in view of the full warehouses need to hurry - "every day is important."
15.04.2022
THE UPDATED NATIONAL RECOVERY AND RESILIENCE PLAN HAS BEEN APPROVED
The Recovery and Resilience Plan has a total value of about BGN 13.52 billion, of which about BGN 12.26 billion is funding from grants under the EU's Recovery and Resilience Mechanism. Against this are 57 investments and 47 reforms in 12 areas. The plan lays the foundations for a green and digital transformation of the economy, strengthening measures on the green transition, which already accounts for more than 53% of total projected expenditure, and digitalisation, where more than 23% of funding will go. The most significant improvements of the Plan as a result of the comments of the EC and in view of its compliance with the requirements of Regulation (EU) 2021/241 were made in the components "Low Carbon Economy" and "Transport Connectivity". The changes were presented at public hearings in February 2022, before the National Assembly in March 2022 and published on the website of nextgeneration.bg also in March 2022 - The current version of the Plan can be found here: https://www.nextgeneration.bg/14
15.04.2022
A NATIONAL PROGRAM WILL FINANCE UP TO BGN 100,000 PROJECTS FOR ACCESSIBLE HOUSING FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
The Minister of Labor and Social Policy approved the National Program for Building Accessible Housing and Ensuring Conditions for Personal Mobility of People with Disabilities. A person with a permanent disability can apply for funding under the program with an individual needs assessment prepared in accordance with the Law on People with Disabilities.
The program will allocate up to BGN 100,000 for a project for the construction of ramps, lifting platforms, elevators in existing residential buildings and adjacent spaces. Owners of individual residential buildings (houses) who have permanent disabilities and move in wheelchairs or whose families have such people can apply for this component for funding. Project proposals can also be submitted by associations of condominium owners in multi-family residential buildings (blocks of flats), among which there are people with permanent disabilities, moving in wheelchairs, or in whose families there are such people.
Up to BGN 8,000 per project will be allocated under the Personal Mobility component. The funds will be provided for the adaptation of a car for driving by people with permanent disabilities or for the purchase of an adapted motor vehicle. Applicants may also receive funding for a driving course. The right to apply for this component have people with permanent disabilities with a proven deficiency of the lower and/or upper limbs and a decision of the medical examination authorities who have a document that they are physically fit to be drivers.
The total budget of the National Program for Accessible Housing and Personal Mobility for 2022 is BGN 2.5 million. The funds have increased by BGN 500,000 compared to last year.
14.04.2022
A BORDER CHECKPOINT IS BEING SET UP ON THE RUSE-GIURGIU FERRY
The Government approved a draft Agreement between the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania for the establishment of the Ruse-Giurgiu border crossing - ferry. The border checkpoint will serve passengers and motor vehicles transported by ships between the cities of Ruse and Giurgiu.
The opening of the checkpoint will create conditions for the resumption of the ferry line Ruse - Giurgiu. This will help overcome the difficulties of cross-border transport of passengers and goods between Bulgaria and Romania and will significantly ease traffic on the Bulgarian-Romanian border.
The resumption of the ferry line was agreed on January 28, 2022 in Ruse during a meeting between Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Grozdan Karadzhov, Minister of Transport and Communications Nikolay Sabev and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Infrastructure of Romania Sorin Grindianu.
Then it became clear that the ferry line will be resumed no later than June 2022, with the aim of taking over much of the heavy traffic between Bulgaria and Romania.
14.04.2022
UNDER THE PROGRAM FOR COOPERATION WITH ROMANIA, 8 BULGARIAN DISTRICTS WITH ACCESS TO OVER 207 MILLION EUROS FOR DEVELOPMENT
The Council of Ministers approved the draft Interreg VI-A Romania-Bulgaria 2021-2027 Cross-Border Cooperation Program. The total budget is 207.5m euros.
Of these, 163.5 million euros are provided by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The program will fund joint projects under four priorities: "Well Connected Region", "Greener Region", "More Educated Region" and "Integrated Territorial Development", the government's press service said.
The program territory of Interreg VI-A Romania - Bulgaria 2021 - 2027 covers eight Bulgarian districts - Vidin, Montana, Vratsa, Pleven, Veliko Tarnovo, Ruse, Silistra and Dobrich. On the Romanian side, it includes seven Romanian regions - Constanta, Calarasi, Giurgiu, Teleorman, Dolj, Mehedinţi and Olt.
Beneficiaries can be national, regional and local authorities, universities, research centers, associations, non-governmental organizations, civic associations and networks and others.
The main goal of the program is to ensure sustainable and innovative growth of the regions, in accordance with the new EU cohesion policy for the period 2021-2027. The set goals are in line with the European vision for sustainable development in the implementation of regional policy, including the Territorial Agenda 2030, the European Green Pact and others.
The program is to be sent for approval by the European Commission.
14.04.2022
„GARDENS AND PARKS“ IS LOOKING FOR SEASONAL WORKERS
The Municipal Enterprise "Gardens and Parks" in Plovdiv is looking to hire workers for the following vacancies:
"Chainsaw cutter" - 3 pieces: manages, maintains and maintains all types of chainsaws available to the company, used in the felling of street and forest trees, pruning tree crowns and pruning fallen branches for pruning and cutting, perform them if necessary with the help of a car lift. Education - secondary and course.
"Gardener" - 2 pieces: performs work on maintaining green areas, digging soils, fertilizing, cutting shrubs and shoots, sowing grass, watering, weeding, flower figures, mowing - manual and mechanized, noise collection, sweeping alleys and playgrounds. Education is basic. Special skills - to know how to work with hand tools, garden equipment.
"Plumber" - 1 piece: performs preparatory work for repair of internal and external plumbing. Repairs and replaces taps, fittings and sewer pipes located in buildings, pump rooms, irrigation systems in lawns, etc. A certificate for professional plumbing training is required. Education - secondary.
"Installer, repair of machinery and equipment" - 1 piece: performs current, medium and major repairs, adjustment, inspection and adjustment of complex machines, electric pumps, lawn mowers, etc. Assembles, dismantles, adjusts, tests, checks the accuracy of mechanisms, machines and equipment in the workshop or in pumping stations and premises. Minimum requirements: III qualification group, refresher course of 1 year. Education - secondary special.
"Seasonal workers": perform work on maintaining cleanliness in parks and inter-block spaces during the intensive season: sweeping with a broom, collecting paper and other waste, fallen branches and noise; transportation of collected waste by hand truck to the landfill or to a convenient place for transportation; loading and unloading of the collected waste by truck; participates in washing the walls and bottoms of fountains and water areas; mowing lawns - machine and manual; collecting cut grass, serving a pumping station, watering lawns, planting, watering, weeding plants, flowers and flower figures and trees. Work experience is not required.
For more information: tel. 032 624 301.
