14.04.2022

FROM 21 APRIL TO 20 MAY 2022, FARMERS CAN RECEIVE COVID AID

From 21 April to 20 May 2022, farmers can apply for support under the "Aid to support liquidity of farmers to overcome the negative economic impact of COVID-19" for 2022. This was decided at a meeting of the Board of the State Fund "Agriculture" (SFA).

The budget of the aid amounts to BGN 143,500,000, of which BGN 111,500,000 are provided by the Law on the State Budget of the Republic of Bulgaria for 2022 and BGN 32,000,000 additional resources, which will be provided by a Decree of The Council of Ministers. After the promulgation of the decree in the State Gazette, the final amount of the aid will be approved by a decision of the SFA Management Board.

The budget is divided into the following areas:

- Large and small ruminants, bee families - BGN 79,000,000;

- Fruits and vegetables, oil-bearing rose and rice - BGN 64,500,000.

The aid is granted to farmers keeping large and small ruminants, bee colonies, fruits and vegetables, oil-bearing roses and rice, which are registered under Ordinance № 3 of 1999, meet the definition of small and medium-sized enterprises, according to Annex I of Regulation (EU) 702/2014 and were not in difficulty as at 31.12.2019.

Specific requirements according to the direction of application will be set out in the instructions for application of the aid, which will be prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture and the SFA as soon as possible.

14.04.2022

MF: PEOPLE WILL CONTINUE TO INVEST THEIR MONEY IN REAL ESTATE

Demand for credit in 2022 will slow down compared to 2021, in line with the expected deterioration of the economic situation and increased uncertainty due to the conflict in Ukraine.

This is recorded in the draft medium-term budget forecast for the period 2023-2025. At the beginning of 2022, credit to the private sector continued to accelerate and at the end of February its annual growth reached 9.7%, accelerating all major components. Rising international prices of energy goods, raw materials and food and their impact on inflation and inflation expectations continued to stimulate demand for credit.

For non-financial corporations, loans accelerated to 6.6% with a major contribution from overdraft loans. This may be associated with a greater need for working capital for timely replenishment of stocks given the upward dynamics of prices. The strong rise in property prices, which accelerated to 9.4% on an annual basis in the last quarter of 2021, record low mortgage rates and strongly negative real interest rates on deposits led to an increase in the growth rate of housing loans to 18.1% at the end of February, the forecast said.

Factors that will act in the direction of slowing down the growth of credit to households will be the expected slowdown in the growth of consumption and compensation of employees in 2022. of the countercyclical capital buffer, in October 2022 and early 2023.

Despite the projected slowdown in housing loans, in 2022 their growth rate will remain relatively high, as buying a home is the main alternative form of investment or to preserve value in an environment of high inflation and low interest rates, according to the Ministry of Finance. Until the end of the forecast period, the growth of credit to households is expected to continue to slow down.

It will remain at relatively high levels in line with the projected development of employee compensation. At the end of 2023, the growth of receivables from households is projected to be 8.9%, and at the end of 2025 - 7.7%.

It is envisaged that in the period 2023 - 2025 the credit for the business will be gradually accelerated in line with the expected recovery of private investments, supported by the National Recovery and Sustainability Plan.

The growth of total receivables from enterprises is expected to be 5% at the end of 2023. In 2024, the total annual increase in receivables from enterprises will be 5.3%, and at the end of 2025 - 5.7%. Total receivables from the private sector will increase by 6.6% in 2023, and by the end of 2025 their growth rate will slow slightly to 6.5%.

13.04.2022

HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT AND LACK OF MANPOWER

Expert analysis of IME

In the last two years, the Bulgarian labor market has undergone drastic and extreme changes - from the rapid rise in unemployment at the beginning of the Covid-19 crisis and restrictive measures to the creation of many new jobs and the return to labor shortages only a year later. In this text we will try to present the different phases that the labor market has gone through both at national level and in selected regions.

For this purpose, we use the Beveridge curve, which compares the unemployment rate with the number of vacancies relative to the total workforce. The resulting indicator is used to determine the moment of the business cycle through the dynamics of the labor market, as recessions are characterized by high unemployment and lower labor demand, periods of economic growth - with low unemployment, many vacancies and high competition for workers.

A special case is when there is an increase in unemployment, combined with an increase in the number of vacancies relative to the size of the labor force. In this case, there is likely to be a significant mismatch between employers' needs for new labor and the skills and qualifications of the unemployed, which indicates deeper structural problems in the labor market beyond the impact of the economic cycle.

To calculate the Beveridge curve in the period between January 2020 and February 2022, we use monthly data from employment offices provided by the Employment Agency, which allows tracking the impact of the introduction and enforcement of restrictive measures and the sharp deterioration of the overall economic climate.

The Beveridge curve for the last two years clearly shows that from the point of view of the labor market, the crisis can be divided into several stages. With the introduction of the initial restrictions on social and economic life in March 2020, unemployment increased by almost 3 percentage points. up to 9% of the workforce, but the level of vacancies remains almost unchanged at 20 thousand - or 6-6.5 per thousand able-bodied. In other words, even in a period of sharp rise in economic uncertainty, employers generally do not shrink their demand for labor. There was a slight decline in labor demand only in the winter months with the introduction of the second wave of restrictive measures, the lowest level of which was reported in December 2020 - with 4.82 vacancies per thousand able-bodied.

The equilibrium point at which the vacancy rate exceeds unemployment comes in February 2021, with the usual seasonal dynamics observed during the year. Demand for labor increases in the summer months with the intensification of tourism and agriculture and shrinks respectively in the autumn and winter months, while the unemployment rate falls below its pre-crisis levels to 4.7 - 4.9% in the autumn of 2021. in other words, the conclusion is confirmed that Covid-19 and the restrictions (at least at the level of the national economy) have led to a momentary shock in the labor market, the effects of which, however, virtually disappear with the normalization of economic life.

However, the big "scissors" between unemployment and the demand for labor are a cause for concern - it is mostly a sign of structural discrepancies between the skills of the unemployed and the sought-after employees.

The regional comparison illustrates the different processes in the interaction between labor supply and demand at the sub-national level. The examples were chosen because of their different dynamics. While Burgas and Blagoevgrad were among the districts most severely affected by the initial blow to the labor market and continue to recover from it, Vidin is the weakest district in the country and the capital the strongest and most flexible market. labor throughout the economy.

Like the rest of the country, Blagoevgrad suffered a rapid rise in unemployment under the first restrictions - up to 14% in April - May 2020. Unlike other areas, however, unemployment remained high throughout the period and did not fall below 8%. However, the demand for labor is constantly rising, remaining at 20 vacancies per thousand able-bodied throughout the summer of 2021. This is a particularly worrying sign of the medium-term development of the regional labor market - apparently local businesses are particularly hungry for staff , but the unemployed in the district are not able to meet such high demand (or working conditions do not meet their requirements).

Burgas is an interesting case in terms of the strong influence of seasonal employment dynamics. As a result, the unemployment rate is relatively less affected than the limits in the spring of 2020, with the unemployment peak reaching 8.8% in April 2020; for comparison, in January 2021 the level was already 7.3%. However, the demand for labor is changing significantly, as in 2020 in the traditionally busiest month of May before the summer season there are only 11.5 vacancies per thousand able-bodied, compared to 22 per 1,000 only a year later. This demonstrates, on the one hand, the dependence on tourism, but on the other hand leads to the conclusion that the reduced demand for labor, combined with low unemployment, is most likely a sign of the complete elimination of a significant number of able-bodied people from the labor market.

At the same time, Vidin stays out of the general dynamics, and the impact of the crisis in the district is weak, with unemployment rising from 14.5 in January to 16.5 in May 2020 and a gradual decline to just over 11% by the end of 2021 However, throughout the period the demand for labor is significantly lower than the supply, reaching its peak for a short time 11 vacancies per 1000 able-bodied in November 2021, but most of the time gravitates in the range of 5 - 7 per 1000. This in turn, it means that the major problems in the regional labor market are structural and far ahead of the pandemic, especially in terms of low entrepreneurial activity and investment, which determines the low demand for labor, labor.

The capital is a diametrically opposed example. Unemployment managed to reach or exceed the demand for labor in a very short time - only in May, June and December 2020. However, in this crisis, the Sofia labor market clearly demonstrates that it is the most flexible and adaptable in the country, as by the end of 2021 unemployment is shrinking to "naturally" low levels of 1.5%, which is combined with high demand for labor (given the large size of the local economy) from 5 - 7 vacancies per 1000 able-bodied.

In conclusion, the review of labor supply and demand in the crisis year and the subsequent recovery period shows rather a brief shock, followed by a recovery in pre-crisis positive employment trends and labor shortages. However, some regional labor markets suffer from structural problems and skills gaps, the resolution of which will be among the important challenges in attracting investment and raising living standards on the ground.

12.04.2022

WHAT IS MANDATORY AND WHAT CAN BE AGREED IN THE EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT?

The employment contract is the most widely used basis for employment. That is why it is good for workers and employers to be aware that the employment contract has a legal and contractual content. What are the differences between the legal and contractual content of employment contracts?

The legal content follows directly from the law and is included in the contract by virtue of the law, without the need to be explicitly entered in it. The rights and obligations that form the legal content of the employment contract are established for all employees. Their grounds are specified in the Labor Code and in other laws or by-laws. By concluding the employment contract, the parties agree to the legal provisions without being able to amend or repeal them.

The legal content of the employment contract includes some basic rights of the employer, such as the right to personnel policy, mainly related to the fact that the employer, within the rights and obligations provided by law, may appoint, manage, amend and terminate employment with staff in your company.

The legal content of the employment contract also includes some basic obligations of the employer, compliance with which is subject to administrative and judicial control. These obligations of the employer outline the basic statutory rights of the employee.

The obligation to ensure healthy and safe working conditions, the employer's obligation to protect the dignity of the employee, the obligation to pay wages, the obligation to ensure normal working conditions, as well as to provide information to the employee, including economic and financial condition.

The legal content of the employment contract also includes some basic obligations of the employees, such as the obligation to perform their duties accurately and conscientiously, to appear at work in a condition that allows them to perform their assigned tasks and not to drink alcohol during working hours or other intoxicating substance, to perform their work in the required quantity and quality, and to observe the technical and technological rules, as well as the internal rules adopted in the enterprise, and not to interfere with other employees to perform their duties, to be loyal to the employer, etc.

The contractual content again includes mandatory elements that must be included in every employment contract. However, the parties have the opportunity to determine them, and in no case can they pass the restrictions or requirements of the law.

These are the place of work, the name of the position and the nature of work, the date of conclusion of the employment contract and the beginning of its implementation, the duration of the employment contract, the length of the working day, the amount of paid annual leave, remuneration, notice of termination contract.

It is permissible in the employment contracts to negotiate optional clauses between the parties. An employment relationship can arise without them, but if such an element is included, it must be with the consent of both parties. Such are, for example, the clauses regulating, for example, taking over part or all of the employee's expenses for electricity, heating and the like when working remotely, etc.

Reference:

Art. 66 of the Labor Code

12.04.2022

A NEW PROCEDURE HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES

The whole of Europe is in an extremely difficult situation of global inflation, war and economic crisis, and the Ministry of Innovation and Growth (MIG) is working to help Bulgarian companies continue their sustainable development, Daniel Laurer, Minister of Innovation and growth, told reporters.

He announced the beginning of the procedure "Rehabilitation of small and medium enterprises through the improvement of energy efficiency" with a budget of BGN 136 million to the Operational Program "Innovation and Competitiveness" (OPIC). The procedure is aimed at micro, small and medium-sized companies in the manufacturing industry. The sector is among the most affected by rising electricity prices.

The co-financing under the program is up to 50 percent. In this way, investment projects of more companies will be supported. The application will start on May 3 and will end on May 23.

Companies will have 11 working days before the start date to apply to prepare their projects. With the money you will be able to buy tangible fixed assets - machinery, equipment and modern systems to improve energy efficiency.

The list of all eligible machines and equipment is part of the application package. Companies must complete their projects within 10 months of concluding contracts.

The full package of documents on the procedure (Conditions for application, Conditions for implementation and annexes to them) is published in UMIS 2020: https://eumis2020.government.bg, on the website of the operational program: www.opic.bg, as well as on The single information portal for general information on the management of the Structural Funds and the Cohesion Fund of the European Union in the Republic of Bulgaria: www.eufunds.bg.

The National Recovery and Sustainability Plan (NRSP) received a positive assessment from the European Commission. The programs managed by the MIG provide BGN 1.3 billion to help Bulgarian enterprises. The planning for part of the funds is in the final phase and there will be money at the end of June to support the companies, the minister added.

11.04.2022

THE WORLD BANK HAS LOWERED ITS FORECASTS FOR BULGARIA'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

In a spring report entitled "War in the Region", the World Bank lowered its forecasts for Bulgaria's economic development this year as a result of the negative effects of the war in Ukraine.

The bank already expects the GDP of our country to increase in 2022 by 2.6% compared to the previous forecast in January for economic growth of 3.8 percent.

At the same time, the international financial institution forecasts better growth of 4.3% in 2023, compared to a previous estimate from the beginning of the year for economic expansion of 3.6 percent.

The long-term structural challenges facing Bulgaria include negative demographic trends combined with institutional and managerial weaknesses, the World Bank said. Institutional gaps affect the suboptimal delivery of public services, which hampers private sector expansion and undermines inclusive growth and shared prosperity.

High levels of inequality of opportunity limit access to key public services, limit people's ability to escape poverty and lead to persistently high income inequality. Poverty and inequality are exacerbated by inadequacies in the targeting, coverage and generosity of the social security system, limiting its role as a redistributive mechanism and fiscal stabilizer.

The pace of convergence to the average level of income in the EU is slower than that observed in other new EU members, with Bulgaria continuing to rank last in terms of GDP per capita in Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) in the EU, with 55% of the EU average in 2020.

Economic growth and convergence to average income levels for the EU varies significantly in different regions of Bulgaria - from only 24% of the average EU level in Silistra, to 120% in Sofia in 2019, and this trend is becoming more uneven. As a result, some parts of the country are depopulating rapidly, with the first results of the 2021 census showing the fastest population decline since the 1985 census - by 11.5 percent from 2011 to 6 , 52 million people. The significant emigration from the beginning of the transition period, led by large differences in income and the search for a better quality of life, is the main factor for the rapid loss of population in Bulgaria, according to the World Bank.

According to preliminary data for 2021, GDP growth accelerated to 4.2%, although real production is yet to recover to pre-coronavirus pandemic levels. Final consumption and steady export growth were the main drivers of the recovery. The expansion of exports was preceded by an increase in imports, which led to an increase in the trade deficit and current account deficits.

However, investment continued to decline in 2021, according to the World Bank. The pandemic, coupled with an internal political crisis for most of 2021, has increased investors' reluctance to take risks, while delayed approval of the National Recovery and Sustainability Plan has put additional strain on public investment. Industry, finance and IT have been key sectoral drivers of economic growth.

Like most European countries, Bulgaria has seen a rapid acceleration of inflation since the summer of 2021, reaching 10% on an annual basis in February 2022. Imported inflation due to rising oil prices with its side effects is a key factor behind inflation. From mid-December, regulated prices of electricity, heating and water were frozen until the end of March 2022, which partially mitigated the inflation shock on households.

For its part, businesses have been receiving government subsidies for electricity costs since October 2021, which has kept many companies afloat, despite soaring energy prices. Subsidies on electricity prices are expected to be fiscally neutral, as they will be financed by the profits of the state-owned nuclear power plant, the World Bank said in its spring macroeconomic report.

Despite the growth of fiscal revenues in 2021 (a jump of 18.1% on an annual basis) against the background of stable economic growth and inflation, expenditures are growing at a similar pace (by 17.6%), mainly due to continued support for business and individuals. As a result, the fiscal deficit amounts to 2.9% of GDP.

The banking sector remained stable, with post-tax profits rising 74% to BGN 1.42 billion in 2021 and non-performing loans growing moderately by 1.4 percentage points year on year to 6% by the end of 2021.

Against the backdrop of economic recovery and continued, albeit more targeted, government support, poverty is expected to decline slightly from 6.3% in 2020 to 6.2% in 2021, using the poverty line set by The World Bank, at $ 5.50 a day.

According to the World Bank, the ongoing war in Ukraine provoked a revision of global growth forecasts, as Bulgaria's GDP growth in 2022 was revised down by 1.2 percentage points compared to the January forecast to 2.6 percent.

Risks remain downward (for even weaker growth) and are likely to lead to further downward revisions in the event of a protracted military conflict in Ukraine or new devastating Covid waves amid low levels of vaccination in Bulgaria.

In addition, delays in approving the National Recovery and Sustainability Plan and the EU Funds Operational Programs for the 2021-2027 programming period jeopardize the government's plan to significantly increase public investment in 2022, further undermining growth prospects.

In the medium term, the World Bank expects growth to be fueled by EU-funded public investment and improved sentiment among private investors about the short-term prospect of joining the eurozone.

The acceleration of domestic inflation from the end of 2021 is likely to remain in place at least in the first half of 2022, as energy and food price inflation is exacerbated by the ongoing war in Ukraine. This will lead to further erosion of purchasing power, likely an increase in poverty and higher fiscal spending if current measures to support businesses and individuals are continued beyond the first quarter.

Overall, the draft budget for 2022 suggests that fiscal policy will deviate from the conservative stance of the last two decades. The fiscal deficit is likely to exceed the government's plan by 4.1% of GDP, as the latter is based on a rather optimistic official forecast for economic growth of 4.8%.

A government-sponsored program to accommodate displaced Ukrainian citizens will also be a burden on government spending. More than 58,000 Ukrainian citizens remained in Bulgaria as of March 29th, with about 40,000 of them housed in government-subsidized hotels.

In addition, a budget revision is planned for this summer, which is likely to further increase spending. The World Bank expects the current account balance to return to positive, although remaining below 1% of GDP, in the period 2022-2024.

It is positive that the political crisis that has dominated the Bulgarian national landscape since the beginning of 2021 has been overcome after a four-party coalition took office after the elections on November 14, 2021. There are high expectations from the new government to undertake structural reforms in a number areas, including the judiciary and corruption control, the World Bank added.

11.04.2022

WHERE THEY ARE LOOKING FOR NEW EMPLOYEES

Twice as many companies in Bulgaria plan to hire people compared to the previous six months, according to a study by the Bulgarian Employment Confederation, which unites the leading companies in the field of HR services in the country.

A total of 1,074 companies from five regions and twelve industrial sectors participated in the survey. 6% predict a reduction in the workforce, and 33% will keep the number of staff. Thus, the net employment rate, which is obtained from the difference between employers who plan to reduce the workforce and those who forecast to increase it, is +40% - an increase of 23% compared to October 2021 - March 2022.

In Sofia, the demand for new employees will again be most active, with 78% of surveyed employers planning to increase staff. The employment rate in Plovdiv decreased by 10 percentage points and 8% of companies forecast growth in the workforce. In the regions of Burgas and Varna, the employment plans are also positive with employment rates of +5% and +6%, respectively, while the Ruse region improved by seven percentage points, reaching an employment rate of + 3% for the period April - September 2022.

"Despite the encouraging plans of employers across the country to increase staff, there is no sector that is not suffocated by the lack of suitable staff, and this phenomenon is not from yesterday. The labor market has never been so fiercely competitive, because quality employees are not only looking for adequate pay, meaningful additional benefits and flexible work models, but also a stable company culture that goes hand in hand with the priorities of employees and the whole society,” said Nadia Vasileva, chairwoman of the confederation.

To the additional question "How will the war in Ukraine affect your business in the next six months?" 42% of employers say it will have a negative impact, 19% will have a positive impact, and 39% do not think it will affect their business in any way.

"We urgently need more than 200,000 specialists for all sectors without exception, and many employers are hoping to find a solution to their staffing problems in Ukrainian immigrants, who could fill some of the vacancies. Given all the measures the government has taken so far to support refugees, it would be useful to share up-to-date information on the number of Ukrainian citizens actually employed in the last month so that employers can assess whether they are part of the solution to the problem of the huge shortage of staff."

In addition, employers from all twelve industries included in the survey share positive prospects for hiring new employees.

The most optimistic plans for the next six months are the employers from the sectors "Information Technology", "Production" and "Outsourcing" (respectively +49%, +34% and +31%), followed by the "Public and Social" sector and "Finance" , insurance, real estate and business services ”(+7%) and“ Wholesale and retail trade ”and“ Transport, warehouses and communications ”(+5%). The sectors "Mining and quarrying", "Hotels and restaurants" and "Agriculture, forestry and fisheries", whose results were negative for the past six months, will also offer job opportunities with employment rates of +2%, +4% and +2%.

11.04.2022

OPIC WILL SUPPORT ANOTHER 815 SMALL COMPANIES WITH BGN 41 MILLION

Another nearly BGN 41 million will be paid to 815 small businesses to deal with the consequences of the Covid crisis. The grant is under the measure for support of companies with a turnover of over BGN 500,000, implemented by the Operational Program "Innovation and Competitiveness" (OPIC) at the Ministry of Innovation and Growth. Each of the companies will receive BGN 50,000 to reimburse the operating costs for salaries, materials and consumables made during the pandemic, the ministry said.

636 of these companies have already been contracted and are expected to receive their money within a maximum of three months. For the remaining 179 approved small enterprises, the negotiated procedure has started. They will receive approximately BGN 9 million, which were provided at the end of last month. Thus, the total number of companies supported under this measure of the operational program will become almost 4,400. The allocated funds will exceed the amount of BGN 219 million.

OPIC already has profiles on social networks

The Operational Program "Innovation and Competitiveness" (OPIC) at the Ministry of Innovation and Growth already has social media accounts on Facebook and YouTube. They will publish information about the opportunities for modernization of enterprises, to improve energy efficiency, to finance innovations in the work and production process and others.

On the Facebook page, business representatives will be able to find current news about current and future measures and programs. Videos and reports presenting the results of the support for the companies in the country will be uploaded on the YouTube platform.

11.04.2022

WHICH PROFESSIONS WILL DISAPPEAR

Due to the mass penetration of artificial intelligence in the future, professions in which there is no creative element will disappear. A profession in which it has creativity cannot disappear, said for BTA Acad. Chavdar Rumenin - a specialist in sensory, robotics and artificial intelligence from the Institute of Robotics at BAS, of which he is director from 1999 to 2018. Now Acad. Rumenin is the director of the National Center for Competence "Quantum Communication, Intelligent Security Systems and Risk Management" - QUASAR.

In the past, there were drivers, saddlers, shoemakers and other professions, many of which no longer exist. These professions have become rare crafts, said Acad. Rumenin.

He predicts that due to the development of artificial intelligence, the profession of travel agent is expected to disappear, because in the future people will make their own reservations for their travels and vacations.

The professions of cashiers in supermarkets as well as bank cashiers will also disappear, and there will be no printing workers in the future. There is a forecast that in the future there will be no sports judges in tennis, because this sport uses the so-called system of artificial intelligence, which is called the hawk's eye. It shows where the ball fell - inside or outside the area of ​​the game, explained Acad. Chavdar Rumenin.

He noted that the profession of receptionists in hotels will also be able to automate, but clarified that this process of disappearance of certain professions will not be so fast, but will be associated with the introduction of technology.

With the introduction of certain technologies and elements of artificial intelligence, certain professions will gradually disappear and other professions will be automated.

The creative professions of journalists, doctors, teachers and scientists will remain in the future. "I personally believe that in the future there will be journalists, doctors, teachers, scientists, because humanity will not be able to function without these specialists. When there were two identical hours in one subject - the teacher is always creative and knowing his students. he knows how to present the lesson to them. There is no way that human creativity can be replaced by machines," the scientist commented.

But let's not scare people, it will be many years before these professions we are talking about disappear. During this time, people will be able to orient themselves and choose other professions in which to work, said Acad. Rumenin.

There will be new professions in the future due to the widespread use of artificial intelligence in various areas of life. I expect that the profession of specialists in the transformation of human resources will appear, suggested Acad. Rumenin. He also gave an example of the application of this new profession. If in the future a company needs to be laid off, the specialists in human resources transformation, with the capabilities of artificial intelligence, will be able to select the best people who will continue to work, explained Acad. Chavdar Rumenin.

According to him, another new profession that would appear in the future is the specialists in digital transformation. In the future, people will need to be able to move from one profession to another, and large database specialists will be needed. Product designers and organizers of the process of creating new productions will also be needed.

The work of IT consultants will now be associated with great interest in digital technologies. In the future, there will be health care assistants who will analyze data from sensors and artificial intelligence structures related to human health, the scientist predicts.

08.04.2022

WE WILL REFORM THE NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR COOPERATION ON ETHNIC AND INTEGRATION ISSUES, SAID KALINA KONSTANTINOVA

We will reform the National Council for Cooperation on Ethnic and Integration Issues. This was stated to journalists in the Council of Ministers by Deputy Prime Minister for Effective Governance Kalina Konstantinova.

As chair of the council, she said there was a need to create a democratic mechanism for electing its member organizations.

"The National Council is not working effectively enough. There are many people who are disappointed and have stopped coming to it and actively participating," she said. Kalina Konstantinova explained that the body will be similar to the Civil Society Council, which she says is already working successfully.

The Deputy Prime Minister added that she had already met with the Roma community and the non-governmental sector on the long-term 10-year strategy for Roma inclusion and the action plan to be followed over the next year and a half. "Our focus there is on the earliest childhood and the care of mothers and pregnant women in the health sector. One of the bigger reforms we plan for next year is the one for ID cards. This is the key. In order to be able to have any kind of inclusion, we must first have personal documents and they can unlock access to all tools and mechanisms for inclusion," said Kalina Konstantinova.

Today, the Deputy Prime Minister held a meeting with representatives of the non-governmental sector on the occasion of the International Roma Day - April 8, at which she got acquainted with the problems of the Roma community in our country. The meeting was also attended by MPs from various groups, who also expressed political will to work in this direction.

17-year-old Virginia Atanasova from Shumen addressed the audience. On this day, the Roma say "no" to discrimination and "no" to war. We must accept ourselves as we are, be tolerant and empathetic. Let's be united, she urged.

During the discussion, civil society organizations presented their successfully implemented practices over the past year at regional and national level. The event was attended by representatives of the World Bank for Bulgaria, UNICEF for Bulgaria and other institutions.