08.04.2022

ON THE INTERNATIONAL ROMA DAY, A PHOTO EXHIBITION "OPENED THE DOOR" TO THEIR WORLD

The photo exhibition of the participants in the information campaign "Let's open the door", organized by the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy and the Employment Agency, was opened in the National Assembly during the celebration of the International Roma Day - April 8. The event was attended by Parliament Speaker Nikola Minchev, Minister of Labor and Social Policy Georgi Gyokov and the Executive Director of the Employment Agency Smilen Valov.

The exhibition tells the stories of Roma who started work on employment promotion programs funded by the Operational Program "Human Resources Development" and the National Action Plan for Employment. It promotes the work and role of Roma, health, education and youth mediators in the economic activation of people from the Roma community. Some of the boards tell about crafts practiced by the Roma, reveal the beauty of their customs, traditions and holidays and reveal the inner world of their understandings and dreams.

"I wish all participants representatives of the Roma community health and success. The Ministry of Labor and the Employment Agency will continue to work as a priority to increase their preparation for the labor market and economic activity, because professional realization is the best way to social inclusion and integration of everyone," said Minister Gyokov.

Three of the authors of the photographs were awarded prizes during the event. Samuil Atanasov, who dreams of being a software engineer, received a voucher for a programming course. Fani Hristova, who wants to study Bulgarian philology, was awarded a voucher for an English language course. Taner Andreev received a voucher for professional photographic equipment.

The exhibition is part of the information campaign "Let's open the door" aimed at economic activation of the Roma. For this purpose, the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy and the Employment Agency organized trainings in digital photography for community representatives in Blagoevgrad, Stara Zagora and Yambol, which included participants from other nearby settlements. Their best photos are included in the exhibition panel.

08.04.2022

A NEW APPLICATION PROCEDURE UNDER MEASURE 60/40 HAS STARTED

As of today, the Employment Agency starts a new application procedure under measure 60/40.

It may include employers seeking support to maintain the employment of their staff between March and June 2022.

The terms and conditions for receiving support in the period March - June 2022 are similar to those applied for the previous two months of January and February.

The measure continues to support the maintenance of employment in enterprises engaged in economic activity in the sectors specified in the Council of Ministers Decree № 151/2020, whose average monthly sales revenues in 2020 have decreased compared to 2019.

The regulated support at this stage also amounts to 60% of the income and social security contributions of each employee in enterprises, whose sales revenues in the month for which the support is provided have decreased by not less than 40% compared to the average monthly revenues for the whole of 2019

For employees in enterprises, whose sales revenues during the month decreased by at least 30 percent compared to the average monthly income for 2019, will continue to be paid funds in the amount of 50%. For those established after January 1, 2020, the decline in revenue for the month for which they apply will be determined relative to the average monthly revenue for 2020.

The amount of funds provided for each employee will continue to be determined on the basis of his insurance income for October 2021.

The funds under the current design of the measure will be paid monthly, as the deadlines for acceptance of documents are as follows:

- for the month of March 2022 - until 17.00 on 29.04.2022 - for documents submitted in person at the Labor Office Directorate and until 30.04.2022 - for documents sent electronically through the Security System electronic service or licensed postal operator;

- for the month of April 2022 - until 31.05.2022;

- for the month of May and June 2022 - until June 10, 2022;

- submission of reporting documents for the month of June 2022 - by July 29, 2022.

For convenience and in view of the set deadline, employers who meet the conditions of the Council of Ministers Decree № 151/2020, as amended with CMD № 40/31.03.2022, and wishing to receive support for the months of May and June 2022, may apply by submitting only one application for the two months, using the approved forms and sample documents.

08.04.2022

DISCOVEREU - TRAVEL BY TRAIN IN EUROPE

DiscoverEU - the EC's work to enable 18-year-olds to explore Europe mainly by train, opens its first round of applications in 2022. By 21 April, young people living in Erasmus + countries will be able to apply for one of the 35,000 free travel cards.

This year marks DiscoverEU's entry into the Erasmus + program. With this change and through the extra funding for the European Year of Youth (2022), 70,000 travel cards will be provided in 2022: 35,000 within the announced application cycle and another 35,000 in the application cycle, scheduled for October. Integration into Erasmus+ also gives candidates from Iceland, Liechtenstein, Northern Macedonia, Norway, Serbia and Turkey who will be able to join the action for the first time.

Applicants who have successfully completed the selection quiz born between 1 July 2003 and 30 June 2004 will be able to travel in Europe for up to 30 days during the travel period between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2023. Those who turn 18 in the second half of the year will be able to apply in October.

In addition, recipients of the travel card will now receive a discount card from DiscoverEU. This new feature will give access to over 40,000 discount opportunities in public transport, culture, accommodation, food, sports and other services available in all eligible countries.

To increase the learning dimension of the DiscoverEU experience, Erasmus + National Agencies will facilitate information meetings and meetings to prepare young travelers for their journey and to establish peer learning. Through these meetings, DiscoverEU aims to promote, inter alia, discussions on sustainability, culture and European identity. Particular attention is paid to inclusion. Participants with disabilities or health problems may be accompanied during their trip. In addition to travel expenses, additional individual assistance is also provided.

The EC promotes sustainable rail travel. Exceptions are made for those who have difficulty reaching continental Europe to begin their journey by train. Therefore, specific measures are available to young people from the outermost regions, overseas countries and territories, remote areas and islands.

Context

The EC launched the (DiscoverEU) initiative in June 2018 following a preparatory action by the European Parliament. It was officially integrated into the new Erasmus + program for the period 2021-2027.

Since 2018, more than 860,000 applicants have applied for 130,000 available travel tickets: according to a previous travel survey, 66% of applicants said they were traveling for the first time by train outside their country of residence. For many, it was also the first time they traveled without their parents or accompanying adults, with most saying the experience allowed them to become more independent.

Experience within DiscoverEU has allowed them to better understand other cultures and European history. Their foreign language skills also improved during the trip. Two-thirds of participants said they could not cover the cost of the travel card without DiscoverEU assistance. Participants are invited to become DiscoverEU ambassadors in order to promote the initiative. They are also encouraged to connect with other travelers to the official DiscoverEU online group to share experiences and exchange advice, especially on cultural specifics and ways to travel sustainably with digital technology.

To apply, eligible applicants must take part in a quiz on common issues of the European Union and other EU initiatives aimed at young people. With an additional question, candidates are invited to know how many people born on Tuesday will apply in this round. The closer the assumption is to the correct answer, the more points the candidate receives. This will allow the Commission to rank the candidates. The Commission will propose travel cards to the candidates according to their ranking and until the available tickets are exhausted.

08.04.2022

THE PERIOD OF DISABILITY PENSIONS EXTENDED DUE TO THE EMERGENCY EXPIRES AT THE END OF JUNE

Disability pensions for which the period of disability expired in the period from March 13, 2020 to March 31, 2022 inclusive, will continue to be paid until the end of June this year, according to the National Social Security Institute (NSSI).

The condition for this is that the NSSI has not received other expert decisions of the TEMC/NEMC with new circumstances after re-certification of the persons receiving these pensions.

The extended repayment period was set out in special legislation related to the introduction of the emergency epidemic situation in the context of the coronavirus pandemic. According to it, the expired disability pensions of the TEMC/NEMC decision had to continue to be paid during the epidemic and three months after its repeal. The elimination of the emergency epidemic situation in our country in early April determined the final date of operation of this regulation to be June 30, 2022. It affects 24,050 retirees.

After this date, extended disability pensions will continue to be paid only in the presence of a new expert decision of the medical examination bodies, which determines a new term of disability and a percentage of permanently reduced working capacity/type and degree of disability, which entitles of the respective type of invalidity pension.

Disability pensions of persons for whom the period of disability is determined until the date following the abolition of the epidemic situation (April 1, 2022) and thereafter, will be paid until the specified period of disability in the expert decision of the TEMC/NEMC. The payment of disability pensions to these persons will be continued after the NSSI receives a new expert decision from the medical expertise body, which sets a new term of disability and a percentage of permanently reduced working capacity/type and degree of disability, which entitles to a disability pension.

08.04.2022

43% OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN OUR COUNTRY WOULD START THEIR OWN BUSINESS IF THERE WERE NO OBSTACLES

43% of young people in Bulgaria would start their own business, 35% would invest in their own home, and nearly a third (31%) are willing to take the road if they do not have any limiting factors at the moment. This is shown by the online survey Generation nova of Ipsos commissioned by Huawei Consumer Business Group Bulgaria. It was held between March 23 and 28 this year among 300 young people aged 16 to 25.

According to him, the main motivator at work for 43% of young people in this age group is high pay. This applies to 27% of people between the ages of 16 and 19 and to more than half of those aged 20-25.

For almost a third, the key factor is a good work-life balance, and 30 percent are looking for good working conditions. Given the pandemic trends, flexible working hours and the ability to work from home are important for 28% of those surveyed. Young people are looking for more freedom in this regard, and as many as 23% are adamant that the motivator for them is the non-stressful atmosphere of work. The latter is more true for those living in large cities with a population of over 100,000. Only 7 percent are looking for an employer who supports causes with a positive impact on the community and the environment, and in general the survey shows that at this stage young people in Bulgaria are not so excited about causes.

The role of money

When asked what money is for them, 44% say it is a way to protect the family's future. This answer prevails among girls. 41% believe that money allows a person to enjoy the good things in life, and 37% see them as a fair reward for their work.

Despite the demand for higher wages, wealth is not among the main priorities of young people in the long run. A quarter of the respondents say that the most important thing for them is family happiness. This response is more common in women (31%) than in men (19%). Amid growing uncertainty over the war in Ukraine, with Covid-19 making life more expensive due to accelerating inflation and the energy crisis, 22% of those surveyed said security and quiet living were top priorities. Here, those in the age group of 20 to 25 years predominate. 15 percent have chosen career development, which is the result of personal satisfaction, and only 7% consider wealth to be the most important.

Only 6 percent of respondents mentioned maintaining friendships as the most important, but in terms of their preferences, they hold face-to-face communication (57%), and 12% feel more comfortable in online communication. 31% think that communication in both ways is the most adequate for them.

Youth and technology

According to the study, young people spend an average of 3.7 hours a day on social networks. 36% indicated that they stay on the platforms for 3 to 4 hours, and 21% for 5 to 6 hours. 6 percent are those who spend more than 8 hours on social networks, while 1% are adamant that they do not use social networks.

60% believe that the use of technology helps them take care of themselves, and 17% are of the opposite opinion. 23% cannot judge. For 62% of respondents, technology helps them stay in shape or play sports. To this end, they use mobile applications to support diet or exercise, and 63% say that modern technology makes life easier and easier to lead a healthy lifestyle.

However, young people also see limitations stemming from the technologies they use. For 52% of them, technology can destroy personal freedom. However, 48% believe that technology will make their lives easier in the future.

Inspiration and a look into the future

Expectations for the future of young people are not so optimistic. As many as 55% of respondents say that the world is getting worse, and girls are more inclined to think in this direction. 26 percent believe that the world has moved in a better direction, and the rest can not judge.

The main things that inspire young people in Bulgaria are nature, music, family, art, sports, hobbies, love, books, movies, travel, but there are answers such as money, god, politics and faith.

For 48% of the participants in the study, family is the most important. It has a significant advantage over love (13%) and pleasures in life/happiness (8%). 5% of the respondents said that freedom and independence, financial well-being, friends and personal development, prestige are the most important for them. The connection with nature remains in the background by only 1%, as is the result of education, art and belonging to a community/cause.

The study also shows that young people in the capital are more adaptable to changes in the world and are more likely to take into account the obligations before the pleasures. At the same time, they strive to develop their personal qualities related to self-confidence, public expression and others. For them, money is more of an opportunity to enjoy the good things in life. Young people living in Sofia are reluctant to judge people by the brands they wear and own. For them, travel would be what they would do if they had no limits in front of them.

Over 50% of the young people in our country accept and respect mainly the Bulgarian traditions and values. Against the background of all the uncertainty of the last two years, less than half are willing to take risks. Women are the ones who tend to take on more challenges, while men value security more.

Although the topic of climate change is present in the public space in the world as one of the major problems facing humanity, young people in Bulgaria are not yet ripe for this idea. According to them, there are more important issues that need to be resolved. In the current context, belonging to common causes is not important for 16-25 year olds.

08.04.2022

GREETINGS FROM THE CONSULTANCY CENTER - BERKOVITSA ON THE OCCASION OF THE INTERNATIONAL ROMA DAY - APRIL 8

On April 8, we go back in history with the thought of the hundreds of thousands of Roma who died in Nazi camps - a sad reality that we have no right to forget, especially today if we want to build a future for a peaceful nation.

The integration of the Roma community is one of the highlights in the policy of the Municipality of Berkovitsa and the Consultancy center.

Only through education and inclusion can effective practices for overcoming discrimination be built. Let the Roma embrace their dreams, open their souls to knowledge, be aspiring, hardworking and believe in themselves and in the good.

08.04.2022

AN INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE OF CHILDREN

Children are our sequel, so we need to start investing in their future when they are young. To ensure a good start in the lives of your children, it is important to create enough savings for a good education, and why not for a home, money for a wedding, start-up capital. Achieving this goal takes time, so if you haven't paid attention to this investment yet, do it today.

It is never too early to think about the future of our children. From the very beginning, you need to answer a few important questions about how much money you will need, when to start saving, how much to spend, and how to choose the right financial instruments for your savings. It is up to you whether you bet safely and save or take the risk of investing. Here's where to start and what to look for.

Children's savings account

Opening a children's savings account in your child's name is perhaps one of the most important things that will determine the future of your generation. When you are a young parent, you are probably thinking mainly about your current needs as a family, and you are somehow ignoring the more distant future that lies ahead and will come sooner than you expect.

Children's savings deposits secure the future of your heirs. You could set different conditions for spending the amount. This type of deposit is a special offer for children who have not reached the age of majority. You could save money at any time to withdraw if necessary, as well as deposit various amounts in any currency, even through your online banking.

Child insurance

Life savings insurance is a way of better education and a good financial start for the child in adulthood. These insurances can be taken out by a parent or other adult, such as grandparents, with the consent of the parent, as the risk in most cases is on the health and life of the adult and the child is a beneficiary. The term of the insurance is in accordance with the age of the child, so that at the end of the year he is an adult and can have the funds for his education, regardless of how much insurance benefits are paid during the contract.

The sum insured can also be paid in the form of a scholarship for several years, and an additional guaranteed return is added to the amount. By receiving the money as a lump sum or in installments for a certain number of years, the young person can invest his money in education, start his own business or cover part of his expenses without relying on his parents.

Property purchase

Owning your own property in our country continues to be a traditional and preferred way to invest. Many parents decide to provide a good independent income for their child in the future by buying a home in which they will one day be able to live, rent or sell. Ideally, you will have enough money to give an equal material start to all your children, but in life this rarely happens.

There is an option for parents who do not have enough money to buy an apartment, house or plot - to buy shares in a joint stock company that invests in real estate or agricultural land - REIT. These companies are required to distribute 90% of their profits each year (if any) as dividends, so you can receive annual income to reinvest in the company (to buy another square meter each year) until adulthood to your child.

Education

A Chinese proverb says: "If you think about the year ahead - sow an annual crop. If you are thinking about a decade ahead - plant a tree. But if you think a century ahead, educate people“. Education is one of the most important things parents can give their children. This is not about saving for possible future studies, but about acquiring practical skills in the present.

Learning a new language or programming, for example, is an extremely important investment that you can make with your child at an early school age. Do not underestimate disciplines such as sports, music, painting, acting and other fields of art. Just take into account your child's talents and interests, enroll him in the desired course and give him the opportunity to develop his skills.

Capital market investments

As interest rates on bank deposits have melted, capital market investments are becoming an increasingly sought-after alternative. The possibilities are numerous and it is good to consult in advance with professionals - financial and investment advisers - regarding your future investments in financial instruments (stocks, bonds, fund units, etc.).

It is easiest to start with mutual funds. You don't have to start with a large amount, as your investments are combined with those of other investors and managed as a "package". Among the many funds in equities, bonds or mixed (balanced), you can choose a fund that meets your preferences - risky, less risky, balanced. As a rule, the profit is directly proportional to the risk taken. Thus, depending on your choice, with a longer-term investment, for example for 18 years, you can save money for the entire study of your child and provide it to him when he comes of age.

Hereditary business

If you have a business acumen, maybe now is the time to grow your business for your children to inherit. There are many examples of passing on a profession and business from generation to generation. There are many advantages for children to inherit the craft (or business) of their parents - in addition to the material base (whether factory, office, dentist's office or restaurant), professional contacts, distribution channels (or customers), but the most important thing that entrepreneurial experience is also inherited.

Your successors will be far ahead of their new entrants. This investment in the future of children has only one drawback - it depends on their desire. They may simply not want to follow in their parents' footsteps. Therefore, if your children are old enough, discuss your idea with them before realizing your idea of ​​starting a new business.

08.04.2022

NEW RULES FOR COLLECTING MONEY FROM DEBTORS

Debt collection companies are prohibited from using methods such as harassment, coercion, threats, insults or physical violence to force debtors to pay their debts. This is provided by the Bill on collection of receivables under consumer contracts, submitted to the National Assembly. The activity of the debt collectors for over 30 years has been without legal regulation, and hence without the possibility of control by the institutions, reads the reasons for the bill.

Practice shows that these companies harass relatives of citizens who they consider debtors, harass them at work and in their homes, colleagues and neighbors, including by disseminating various types of information in public.

Undoubtedly, in these difficult times of pandemic and rising inflation through rising food prices and household bills, many Bulgarian households may be affected by this activity, which requires it to be regulated by law.

Therefore, the bill prohibits collectors from harassing citizens at their workplaces and at home, discrediting them in front of colleagues and their employer, as well as posting debt reports in public places. When looking for the debtor, they will have the right to do so only in writing or by telephone and no more often than an interval of 2 working days.

Ringing is also prohibited on weekends and between 20:00 and 7:00. The same prohibitions are expected to apply to original creditors. The law provides only for the companies entered in a special unified register with the Minister of Economy and Industry, and the companies entered in the register under Art. 3a of the Credit Institutions Act, to be able to collect receivables from consumers. They will be controlled by the Consumer Protection Commission under the Minister of Economy and Industry.

Requirements are introduced for the registration of debt collection companies - capital of BGN 500,000 and professional liability insurance. Individuals are prohibited from collecting debts. Convicted persons are prohibited from owning, managing or being in labor relations with collection companies.

In case of three consecutive violations of the rules for collection of receivables within one year, the registration of the collection company is deleted.

If the consumer considers that he is not a debtor, he will be able to terminate the out-of-court collection by the buyer of the claim by challenging his obligation. It is also possible for him to turn to an alternative dispute resolution body.

The original creditor is obliged to notify the debtor before transferring his claim to a debt collection company. The notification must contain data on the amount of the receivable, its basis, when the due date came into force, what amounts have been paid so far and which is the company to which the receivable will be transferred.

The original creditor will be obliged to enable the debtor to voluntarily fulfill his obligation within 14 days by specifying a bank account or other method of payment. The original creditor or the purchaser of the receivable, depending on who has the documents that establish and are related to the receivable, will be obliged to provide copies of them to the consumer at the written request of the consumer.

Debt collection companies are prohibited from levying on the principal any fees and expenses other than statutory interest.

The proposed draft law also introduces rules for the management and servicing of receivables when they are not directly transferred and the collection company collects the debt on behalf of the original creditor. Debt management companies must also meet certain requirements and be entered in the single register of debt collection companies. They are subject to the same rules on how to search for the debtor, as well as prohibitions on harassing relatives, colleagues, posting information about debt in public places and at work, calling late at night or on weekends.

A receivables collection company that systematically violates the rules will be deleted from the register, thus terminating the receivables collection activity.

Sanctions in the amount of BGN 10,000 to 50,000 are envisaged for violations committed by collection companies during the collection of receivables.

The proposed legislative changes aim to set rules and restrictions on the work of debt collection companies so as to ensure transparent and conscientious work, striking a balance between the ability of creditors to seek their claims in a legal, regulated manner and strict protection of human rights and consumer dignity.

08.04.2022

BDB OFFERS COMPANIES WORKING CAPITAL LOANS AGAINST HIGH INFLATION

The Bulgarian Development Bank (BDB) is offering small and medium-sized enterprises a new method for overcoming the negative effects of high inflation, the institution said.

The program provides working capital loans of up to BGN 200,000 for companies that want to buy raw materials at current prices and thus prevent higher costs in the future. This will help them keep the price of the final product they produce without anticipating a recent increase.

The volume of the program is BGN 10 million, and the loans that will be granted under it - credit lines and overdrafts, will be unsecured.

The bank will guarantee its receivables through co-payment from the owners or another company.

04.04.2022

CHANGES IN EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS AND LEAVE ARE PROPOSED

The employer must now be obliged to notify the employee in writing in case of changes in his employment contract. This is provided by amendments to the Labor Code, proposed for public discussion by the Minister of Social Affairs Georgi Gyokov. The boss will have to inform the employee about the news no later than their entry into force, and not as before - as soon as possible or within a month. The aim is to make the information known to the worker in time to ensure transparency regarding working conditions and to avoid possible labor disputes, the social minister said in a report.

Another change that is being proposed concerns the employment contract with a probationary period. The law now allows the parties to agree on a probationary period of up to 6 months, no matter for how long the employment contract will be concluded. It is now recorded that when it is for a period of less than one year, the probationary period may be up to two months.

It is also envisaged that the employee has the right to conclude an additional employment contract with another employer, outside the established working hours under the main employment relationship, unless otherwise agreed in it. Thus, the main employment contract may prohibit the conclusion of a second one without any reason. The amendment of the provision preserves the possibility of prohibiting additional work with another employer, only for the protection of trade secrets and the prevention of conflicts of interest. The proposed amendment also complies with the requirements of the European directive, according to which the employer cannot prohibit the employee from working secondarily, except in explicit cases.

Currently, the Labor Code prohibits the employer and the employee from unilaterally changing the contract, except for business trips, declared a state of emergency or declared an emergency epidemic situation, employment, etc. The change now allows the employee to propose to the boss a change in the contract in order to switch from a fixed-term employment contract to a permanent contract and/or from part-time work to full-time work. If the employer does not accept the offer, he is obliged to notify the employee in writing within 1 month, motivating his refusal. This creates a guarantee that the employer will consider the proposal and will state objective reasons for its rejection, reads the reasoning.

Another change proposed by the MLSP is that the employer is obliged to acquaint the employees with the rules and procedures for determining the individual salary, to provide information on the terms and conditions for termination of the employment contract, as well as on the training provided by him. professional qualification and improvement of professional skills.

The draft law also introduces changes to improve the reconciliation of work and family responsibilities of their employees. For this purpose, the right to two months of leave for raising a child up to 8 years of age is offered by the father (adoptive parent), during which he receives compensation from the National Social Security Institute. Currently, the right to leave due to pregnancy and childbirth, in the case of adoption of a child under 5 years of age, for raising a child under 2 years of age is an individual right of the mother (adoptive mother), which she can transfer to the father after 6-monthly age of the child. Maternity leave and parental leave have traditionally been considered a right guaranteed to the mother in view of the relationship she has with the young child. Therefore, so far the rights of the father to these types of leave are entirely dependent on the will of the mother, wrote in his reasons the Minister of Social Affairs Georgi Gyokov. Under current law, each parent is entitled to 6 months of unpaid leave until the child reaches the age of 8, of which 5 months can be transferred to the other parent.

The father's leave for caring for a child can be used all at once or in parts, the bill says. The right will be exercised if the father has not used leave transferred to him by the child's mother. To receive leave, he must notify his employer at least 10 days in advance.

The bill also stipulates that if an employee requests a change in his working hours for a certain period, the employer must give him a reasoned answer as to why he accepts this proposal or not. The boss will be required to consider requests for flexible working schemes and respond within a reasonable time, taking into account the needs of both the company and the employee.

The changes should take effect on August 1 this year.