22.02.2022
HOW AND WHERE OUR INSURANCE MONEY GOES
Have you ever wondered where your money from your monthly social security contributions goes? Although these monthly cash payments guarantee material protection for workers, some people prefer to be insured at an unrealistically low amount or even work without social security and therefore - without a guarantee of payment, for sick leave, for compensation, etc. According to business about a fifth of the country's economy is in the informal sector.
According to the National Social Security Institute, almost every third working Bulgarian is insured on the minimum wage or even on a smaller amount. And the amount of pension you will receive depends on how much money you have in the account. That is why it is important to insure your real income. Non-declaration of income and receiving money "under the table" are among the main reasons for low pensions in our country. To break this vicious practice, everyone needs to know how their money is distributed and what risks they cover.
Types of insurance
- Health insurance - it provides a basic health package guaranteed by the state. The quality of "insured person" must be acquired under the Health Insurance Act (HIA). Usually, Bulgarian citizenship is the basis for acquiring this quality and has nothing to do with employment. Foreign citizens can also acquire the status of "insured person" for the purposes of compulsory health insurance, but in the presence of the conditions provided for in the Health Insurance Act.
- State Social Insurance (SSI) - social insurance for general illness, maternity, pensions, unemployment, accidents at work and occupational diseases. All natural persons who perform labor activity for which they are subject to compulsory insurance are insured; the self-insured persons are insured for the time during which the due advance insurance contributions have been paid; seafarers are insured for the time during which the due insurance contributions are paid.
- Supplementary mandatory pension insurance - SMPI is the second pillar of the pension system. Mandatory insurance: in the universal pension fund - all born after December 31, 1959, if they are insured in the Pension fund of the state social insurance; in an occupational pension fund - employees of the first and second category of work, regardless of age.
Social risks covered by social security
Persons who are subject to state social insurance are insured in the following funds:
- General Sickness and Maternity Fund for general illness and maternity, which includes insurance for temporary incapacity for work, temporary incapacity for work and maternity;
- Pension Fund for invalidity due to general illness, old age and death;
- Fund "Pensions for persons under Art. 69“ for disability due to general illness, old age and death;
- the Accident at Work and Occupational Disease Fund for occupational accidents and diseases, which includes disability, death, temporary incapacity for work and temporary incapacity for work due to an accident at work and occupational disease;
- Unemployment Fund for Unemployment.
Social Security provides benefits, allowances and pensions for temporary incapacity for work, temporary reduced working capacity, disability, maternity, unemployment, old age and death.
Social Security income
The insurance income determines the amount of your insurance contributions for all types of insurance. The State Social Insurance Budget Act sets limits on insurance income for each year.
Insurance check
If you want to know exactly how much insurance your employer provides and monitor your status, you can check the NSSI website. All you have to do is enter your PIN and PIC (Personal Identification Code). If you do not have a PIC, you can personally get one at the nearest NSSI office only against an ID card or through an authorized person by presenting a notarized power of attorney.
Restoration of overpaid insurances
If you have overpaid for compulsory social security contributions that you want to recover from the National Revenue Agency, see Refunds. For a VAT refund, see also VAT refund.
18.02.2022
HOW MUCH TIME AND MONEY DOES IT TAKE TO START A BUSINESS IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES?
Many people around the world dream of pursuing their ambition to own their own business, but a relatively small number of them are taking real action to make that dream a reality.
One of the most common reasons for postponing this decision is the lack of sufficient start-up capital. In some countries, however, this process takes a relatively short time - literally hours, according to a study by money.co.uk.
The publication tries to understand how long it takes people in different European countries to work full time to afford the start-up costs of starting their own business.
To this end, experts take into account the minimum administrative costs of setting up a small or medium-sized enterprise, which are listed in the World Bank's Doing Business ranking. They then compare them with the average salary in different countries.
The British, for example, have to work only 1 hour and 21 minutes to earn 14 euros - the amount needed to start their own business.
In second place is Denmark, where you have to work 6 hours and 6 minutes on average to cover the start-up costs needed to start your own business.
The Republic of Ireland is in third place - 1 day, 1 hour and 47 minutes is the time that Irish people will have to work to have enough funding for the start-up costs needed for an independent business venture.
In Romania (1 day, 7 hours and 3 minutes), Sweden (2 days, 1 hour and 41 minutes), Lithuania (2 days, 1 hour and 54 minutes) and Finland (2 days, 6 hours and 26 minutes) are needed less than four working days to finance the costs of starting your own business.
Bulgaria is on the 18th position in the ranking, which includes a total of 35 countries. Bulgarians have to work 1 week, 2 hours and 49 minutes to accumulate enough start-up capital to finance their business idea.
At the bottom of the list are Italy (11 weeks, 4 days and 5 hours) and Albania (11 weeks, 3 days and 7 hours).
Money.co.uk personal finance expert Salman Haki also offers some valuable guidelines for start-up entrepreneurs:
The first is to make passion and inspiration your priorities.
"Sustainable long-term success is easier when you're emotional about what you're doing. This principle is especially true in entrepreneurship," says Haki.
The second important step, he said, is to seek expert advice.
"As with starting anything new, you can make your life easier by connecting with reliable entrepreneurs for potential mentoring opportunities. On social media, it's easier than ever to do it. The valuable advice of these people could be shed some light on the techniques, business planning and legal specifics of the relevant laws and regulations," said the expert.
According to him, the third important thing is to find a balance between business management and personal life. Starting a company is undoubtedly a very stressful process, because it all depends on the entrepreneur.
This is why many people find themselves in a situation that causes them to neglect their physical and mental health, and this is never a good decision.
18.02.2022
UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE CAN ACQUIRE A NEW PROFESSION WITH STATE MONEY
The Employment Agency already provides funds for training of the unemployed and employed. Unemployed people can acquire a new profession at the expense of the state budget.
Employers can also hire unemployed people and include them in a dual form of training against financial incentives.
The courses for acquiring a new profession by the unemployed are held in the four branches of the state enterprise "Bulgarian-German Center for Vocational Training" in Pleven, Pazardzhik, Smolyan, Stara Zagora, as well as in the Center for Human Resources Development and Regional Initiatives in Kremikovtsi.
Students receive a daily stipend, money for accommodation and travel to the place of study. One of the possibilities for financing is when hiring unemployed people to work under the already popular "dual training system" (Article 46a of the Employment Promotion Act). Through it, the Employment Agency stimulates the parallel conduct of theoretical training by a training institution and the acquisition of practical training in a real work environment under the guidance of a mentor.
For this purpose, funds from the state budget are provided on a monthly basis for basic remuneration for each employed unemployed person and his/her mentor, and this continues throughout the training period, but for no more than 36 months.
In addition, the costs of training in the profession required for the specific job are borne in full and for each person. The employer has the right to choose the training institution and to agree with it the curriculum and the program for conducting and optimal combination of the learning process and the work activity of the employees for training through work.
At the same time, the Employment Agency expects applications from employers who want to hire unemployed people after they have acquired a profession necessary for the specific job. In this form the training of the unemployed is financed 100% of the state budget, and for the period of training the students receive daily scholarships and means of transport, in case their place of residence is in another settlement. The employer chooses a training organization with which they jointly form the training schedule and conduct the selection of unemployed persons to be trained and subsequently employed for at least 6 months. The measure is implemented by the order of art. 63 of the Employment Promotion Act and the Employment Agency has a long-standing practice in providing it.
Financial support for conducting trainings on key competencies of their employees can also be received by micro, small and medium enterprises, as the support amounts to 50% of the value of the training. In this form, too, employers choose the training organization, curriculum and training schedule.
Detailed information about the active forms of training in the current period can be found on the website of the Employment Agency, as well as in all labor offices in the country.
Unemployed or employed persons can express their wishes for trainings in the questionnaire form "For those who wish to train" published in the "Questionnaire" section of the Agency's website, and the information from this questionnaire is used for planning and organizing future trainings.
16.02.2022
IN 9 YEARS, THE NUMBER OF ROMA WITH SECONDARY EDUCATION HAS DOUBLED
The process of Roma integration in recent years has yielded results, Deyan Kolev, chairman of the Amalipe Center for Interethnic Dialogue and Tolerance, told BTA.
The chairman of Amalipe notices the most visible change in education. In recent years, there has been a very significant increase in the number of Roma with secondary and higher education, as well as a major change in the community's attitude towards education.
According to a study by the Social Alternative Trust last year, the percentage of Roma with secondary education has doubled in the last nine years, and the percentage of those with higher education has increased sixfold. This is a very clear indicator, Kolev believes.
When Amalipe was established in 2002, the leading idea was for all Roma children to complete at least primary education. At that time, two thirds of Roma children entering first grade dropped out before receiving a primary education diploma. Today, such a problem is almost non-existent, a large part of Roma girls and boys graduate from primary school and continue their secondary education, said Deyan Kolev.
Part of Roma culture is for the child to be at the center of the value system. The child is the most important thing in the family and it is no coincidence that the Romani language is one of the few in which a pregnant woman is not "difficult", associated with some burden, he explains. A pregnant woman in Romani is "khamni" and "kham" means sun, i.e. a pregnant woman is "sunny". In Roma families, the child is perceived as an adult very early, especially if he is a boy. Many times we have even argued with the elders that when the child says he does not want to go to school, they agree, says the chairman of "Amalipe". In fact, by working to raise the educational status of the community, we help the family realize that the best thing for a child is to have an education, says Deyan Kolev.
The organization works with nearly 300 schools, and part of the work is related to Roma parents. The establishment of parent clubs in these schools is encouraged, training is provided for their coordinators, and if 10-15 years ago parents mainly thought about their child and had very little knowledge of what is done in school, today they are thinking about everyone else. children, know much of the educational issues. There is a really serious growth, Kolev commented and noted that the role of non-governmental organizations on Roma issues in this regard is very important.
According to his observations, a very intensive process of community modernization is underway. Young Roma are familiar with the Internet, Facebook, looking for ways to live like everyone else, much more sensitive to issues such as discrimination and education, while older Roma are more patriarchal, more conservative. Teachers and schools are an extremely important factor, said the chairman of Amalipe. Data from a World Bank report show that about 22 percent of young people who need to enter the labor market in Bulgaria are Roma. If together we manage to educate these young people, this will be a huge impetus for the development of Bulgarian society and the Bulgarian economy, he said.
A large percentage of Roma girls and boys who study higher education choose pedagogy and pedagogical specialties, some prefer medical specialties. Years ago we had a program to support Roma young men and women who study medicine and medical specialties, says Deyan Kolev. It started in 2009 with the support of the Open Society Institute. In the beginning, 19 students took part in it, and only three or four years later 50-60 people a year joined. I am very glad that all of those who studied medicine are currently working, and that most of them are in Bulgaria and work in hospitals here, says Kolev.
The growth of anti-Roma discrimination and stereotypes towards Roma remain problematic. Even educated Roma are often driven into a prejudice against the community, making it harder to find work because of this, said the chairman of Amalipe. As another problem area, he cites the participation of Roma in political and public life. And at this moment we do not have ministers, deputy ministers, Roma, MPs, i.e. at the level of decision-making in the country the Roma community does not participate, said Deyan Kolev.
There are many stereotypes and prejudices about the Roma - that they are lazy, stealing, that they do not want to work and study, to integrate, that in school, if there are more Roma children, the quality of education will fall. Years ago, we surveyed this type of stereotype among three groups - teachers, social workers and health workers, said the chairman of Amalipe. Interestingly, health workers share less stereotypes about Roma health, but more stereotypes about education and social inclusion. On the contrary, teachers share fewer stereotypes about the education of Roma children, but very high stereotypes compared to the other two areas. This shows that these stereotypes do not function by feeding on the direct confrontation with reality, but are nurtured by the media, politicians, by what is said in society, Kolev said.
According to him, the data of the Open Society Institute are indicative, which since 2007 has been measuring social distances against several minority groups. Respondents were asked if they would like to live in a city or neighborhood with a minority, have their children go to school with them, or work in the same company. Surveys show that the Roma are the most undesirable minority, ie stereotypes about the Roma community are the strongest. Between 2007 and 2013 there was an improvement in the attitude towards the Roma, since 2013 there has been a serious deterioration. The results of 2019, when the last survey was conducted, are even more negative than those of 2007. In our analysis of what caused this deterioration, one of the things that can be seen is that since 2013, extremely nationalist rhetoric has entered politicians, commented the chairman of "Amalipe".
To the question "what are the gypsies in general" the answers show extremely strong negative stereotypes, and when asked "what are the gypsies in your village", many people say that they can be relied on and they live well. Definitely, when it comes to personal experience, the attitude towards Roma who know each other is more positive, says Kolev. At the same time, however, when you have known Roma with whom you are on friendly terms, this does not change the overall attitude towards the community, and they are perceived as an exception to the rule.
However, personal experience reduces antagonism and it is important to encourage all programs for desegregation in education, ie in the same classroom to study both Roma and Bulgarian children. When you have classmates and fellow Roma, stereotypes cannot be so strong, Kolev is convinced.
He says that Roma traditions, folklore and culture are extremely beautiful and unknown to the Roma. Amalipe works to promote them and promotes the study of ethnic folklore. Many of the customs and traditions that once existed among Bulgarians and have disappeared can now be seen in Roma neighborhoods, he said, noting that we have been connected in the Balkans for many generations.
An example is St. Basil's Day, known as the Roma New Year, which is celebrated on January 14. The celebration begins on the evening of January 13, with the St. Basil's Day table. The family gathers around a common table that used to be a low ritual blue. This is probably the only night when it is not considered good for a stranger to enter the house. A pie is placed, and there is a bread that the parents break. He kisses a hand, incenses and family members give forgiveness. Survakan begins at midnight and the children go to the neighboring houses to survakat for the beginning of the New Year. In many Roma groups, the fountain, i. e. the running water, is first used, then the neighbors are visited, and on January 14 they visit relatives. The celebration continues on January 15.
Another interesting holiday is February 2 - Rooster Day, which is celebrated by a certain group of Roma - drummers or Roma musicians. This custom also has an analogue in the old Bulgarian traditions. For each boy a rooster is slaughtered and his head is hung on the door, and for the girls "pans" are made - softies.
St. George's Day is a big holiday for the Roma, as well as Easter and the Great Mother of God, which is celebrated on August 28.
Folklore carries the spirit of a nation, notes Deyan Kolev and adds that for the Roma values such as honesty and diligence are deeply intertwined with folklore and show that stereotypes are largely undeserved.
We have recorded many Roma tales and legends, in no tale has theft and fraud been valued, he commented. In the newer Roma songs the main theme is love, and the older ones have different messages. Some are associated with a particular holiday, such as Vasilitsa or St. George's Day - such as the popular "Ederlezi". There were songs about wedding and engagement, singing about poverty, a lot of work, love for family. They carry the same patriarchal values, which were not different between the different ethnic groups in the Balkans, summed up the chairman of Amalipe.
16.02.2022
SCALE, STRUCTURE AND FOREIGN TRADE EUROPEAN INTEGRATION OF THE BALKAN COUNTRIES
Borislav Georgiev, foreign trade expert
Making the necessary strategic decisions for the change and development of the economy in Bulgaria requires a clear definition of the current situation. In this sense, it is important to look for a correct comparison with the scale, structure and degree of European integration of the foreign trade turnover of other Balkan countries.
Average annual trade turnover of the Balkan countries (2016-2021), in billion euros
|
№ |
Country |
Export |
Import |
Balance |
Share of the EU27 in exports |
Share of the EU27 in imports |
|
1 |
Turkey |
151 |
196 |
-45 |
42% |
34% |
|
2 |
Romania |
66 |
82 |
-16 |
72% |
73% |
|
3 |
Greece |
32 |
52 |
-20 |
51% |
50% |
|
4 |
Bulgaria |
29 |
32 |
-3 |
63% |
62% |
|
5 |
Serbia |
17 |
22 |
-5 |
65% |
60% |
|
6 |
Northern Macedonia |
6 |
8 |
-2 |
63% |
51% |
Source: Author's calculations based on www.trademap.org - February 2022
The names and positions of the leading partners for each Balkan country, accounting for half and 90% of foreign trade in euros, are as follows:
For Turkey - 11 countries are markets for 50% of Turkish exports with sustainable and recurring leaders of Germany and Britain. Another 46 countries follow, with exports reaching 90%. Bulgaria ranks 23rd with an average annual share of 1.6% of Turkish exports. In terms of Turkish imports, 11 countries are major suppliers, led by China, Germany and the Russian Federation. Next are 31 countries that supplement the volume of up to 90% of Turkish imports in euros. Bulgaria is on the 28th position with a share of 1.1%;
In Romania, 6 countries are markets for 50% of Romanian exports with sustainable and recurring leaders in Germany, Italy and France. There are 22 more countries with which exports reach 90%. Bulgaria ranks 6th with an average annual share of 3.5%. In the case of Romanian imports, 6 countries are again the main suppliers, led by Germany, Italy and Hungary. Another 16 countries follow, supplementing the volume of up to 90% of Romanian imports in euros. Bulgaria is on the 11th position with a share of 3%;
For Greece - 9 countries are markets for 50% of Greek exports with sustainable and recurring leading positions in Italy and Germany. There are 31 more countries with which exports reach 90%. Bulgaria is on the 5th position with an average annual share of 5%. In terms of Greek imports, 8 countries are the main suppliers, led by Germany, Italy and China. Next are 23 countries that supplement the volume of up to 90% of Greek imports in euros. Bulgaria is on the 12th position with a share of 3.2%;
In Bulgaria - 7 countries are markets of 50% of Bulgarian exports with sustainable and recurring leading positions in Germany, Romania and Italy. There are 39 more countries with which exports reach 90%. In terms of Bulgarian imports, 8 countries are again led by Germany, Romania and Italy. There are 23 more countries that supplement the volume of up to 90% of Bulgarian imports in euros;
In Serbia, 8 countries are markets for 50% of Serbian exports with sustainable and recurring leaders in Germany and Italy. There are 17 more countries with which exports reach 90%. Bulgaria is on the 12th position with an average annual share of 3.3%. In terms of Serbian imports, 7 countries are the main suppliers, led by Germany and China. Another 21 countries follow, supplementing the volume of up to 90% of Serbian imports in euros. Bulgaria is on the 27th position with a share of 2%;
For Northern Macedonia - 2 countries are markets for 50% of their exports with a sustainable, recurring and predominant place of Germany and Serbia. There are 12 more countries with which exports reach 90%. Bulgaria is on the 3rd position with an average annual share of 4.7%. In their imports, 6 countries are the main suppliers, led by Great Britain and Germany. The last 3 years have seen a steady increase in the share of Great Britain. Next are 21 countries that supplement the volume of up to 90% of imports in euros. Bulgaria is on the 8th position with a share of 4.1%;
Of course, these data on trade must be supplemented with those on exports and imports of services and capital.
16.02.2022
THE EARTH - SOURCE OF INCOME FOUNDATION SUPPORTS ROMA WITH AGRICULTURAL PROJECTS
Professor Dr. Ivan Penov, a lecturer at the Agricultural University in Plovdiv, founded in 2003 the Earth - Source of Income Foundation. The organization provides financial support and advice to entrepreneurs in the field of agriculture of Roma origin.
"I think I am one of the lucky ones to have good teachers," Prof. Dr. Ivan Penov told BNR.
They call him the Bulgarian Mohammad Yunus.
"It is a great honor for me, because I am not as big as him. Mohammad Yunus showed how important access to financial resources of microbusiness is," added Prof. Dr. Ivan Penov.
Professor Dr. Ivan Penov said that the team of the Earth - Source of Income Foundation works with various organizations in several villages.
"We work in Yambol with the Asthma Foundation, Largo in Kyustendil, New Road Hayredin, Rakitovo, World Without Borders in Stara Zagora."
According to him, in the region of Plovdiv, thanks to the Foundation, about 180 families have been supported.
16.02.2022
INFORMATION DAY AT THE AGENCY FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
In connection with the competitions announced by the Agency for People with Disabilities for funding projects for employment, rehabilitation and integration and building an accessible environment for people with disabilities, the Agency will hold an online information "Open Day" for each of the programs. Participants will have the opportunity to get acquainted with the programs, as well as to ask their questions related to the conditions of application, allocation of funds, monitoring and reporting of project proposals. The information sessions will be held as follows:
Each of the events includes:
If you wish to participate, you can state your intention at the following e-mail addresses of the Agency, taking into account the above deadlines of each of the programs:
Affordable Architectural Environment Program: ahu_dostap@mlsp.government.bg
Rehabilitation and Integration Program: ahu_npo@mlsp.government.bg
Independent Economic Activity Program: ahu_ssd@mlsp.government.bg
Program "Social and economic orientation of specialized enterprises and cooperatives": ahu_stn@mlsp.government.bg and ahu_sn@mlsp.government.bg
Protected Employment Centers Program: ahu@mlsp.government.bg
National Program for Employment of People with Disabilities: ahu_zaetost@mlsp.government.bg
Those who are interested will additionally be sent an email with a link to join the "Open Day" event.
To participate in the event you need to use a computer with a camera or smartphone and download the program "Zoom" in advance.
15.02.2022
UP TO BGN 20,000 FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES WHO WANT TO START THEIR OWN BUSINESS
Employers can receive up to BGN 10,000 to finance projects to provide access to existing or new jobs for people with permanent disabilities of working age. The same amount will be used to finance proposals for adapting existing jobs and equipping new ones for people with disabilities. The funds are provided by the Agency for People with Disabilities (APD) under the National Program for Employment of People with Disabilities. Employers can receive BGN 1,000 for professional training of an employee with disabilities.
Documents can be submitted until April 18, 2022 at the APD through a licensed postal operator or electronically at ahu_zaetost@mlsp.government.bg.
Under another program, APD will grant up to BGN 20,000 to people with disabilities to start or develop an independent business. With these funds they will be able to finance their investment costs, construction and repair works, equipment of workplaces, training of staff and the owner of the enterprise, as well as to cover the minimum start-up capital. Applicants must have 50 and more than 50% reduced working capacity and not participate as owners or partners in another company. Project proposals must be submitted by March 21, 2022.
APD also announces a competition for financing projects with social and economic orientation, aimed at stimulating the employment of people with permanent disabilities in a specialized work environment. Enterprises and cooperatives that have at least one full financial reporting year as a specialized enterprise registered in the APD can apply. Socially oriented projects aim to help employers from specialized work environments to provide adequate working conditions for people with permanent disabilities working in them. The maximum amount of the subsidy is BGN 40,000. The deadline for applications is March 31, 2022.
Business-oriented projects aim to increase the competitiveness of specialized enterprises and cooperatives of people with permanent disabilities by technological renovation of machinery and equipment, introduction of new technologies and re-equipment of existing and creation of new jobs for people with permanent disabilities. To finance such proposals, the AHU grants up to BGN 80,000. Documents must be submitted by April 11, 2022.
The Agency for People with Disabilities will also finance projects for the establishment of Protected Employment Centers. It is open to specialized enterprises and cooperatives of people with disabilities, occupational health facilities, as well as any organization of people with disabilities registered under current legislation. Each Protected Employment Center must provide conditions for the creation of work skills and habits of at least 15 people with multiple permanent disabilities, along with the provision of a minimum package of personal support services. The maximum amount of the allocated funds for one project proposal is up to BGN 618 000. The deadline for applications is April 26, 2022.
APD is also recruiting project proposals for building an accessible architectural environment of cultural, historical and sports sites for people with disabilities. State, municipal, economic and non-governmental organizations that own or manage the sites can apply for this program. The agency will also provide funds for proposals for rehabilitation and integration of people with disabilities.
More information can be found on the website of the Agency for People with Disabilities.
15.02.2022
ROMANIA IS LOOKING FOR THOUSANDS OF FOREIGN WORKERS
In an effort to cover at least some of the labor market shortages, Romania has doubled the number of work permits for foreign nationals from outside the European Union. Up to 100,000 workers from outside the bloc could be recruited by Romanian companies this year, a record number and twice as many as last year, Romanian media reported.
Over the last decade, more than 100,000 workers from non-EU countries have come to work in Romania. An unskilled worker from Asia earns an average of 500 euros a month, according to Digi 24 television.
The country is looking for workers in a wide range of industries - from construction, hotels and restaurants to professional drivers, car repair shops, bakery and confectionery.
For last summer's season, hoteliers in Romania relied heavily on workers from non-EU countries for lack of an alternative to the internal labor market, the chairman of the Romanian Hotel Industry Federation, Kalin Ile, told the state news agency Agerpress.
According to him, the hotel industry is making great efforts to increase salaries in the sector and make it more attractive, so as to attract Romanians who have gone to work abroad. Nearly 5 million Romanians live outside the country, most of them in search of better pay. Another sector of the economy that is experiencing severe labor shortages is construction.
Romanians are going to the West, looking for Asians
Romania's workforce is aging, and companies have to deal with competition in the European market, where many Romanians go to work. "We qualify for the West. For example, Germany says it needs 400,000 workers a year. We have hundreds of Romanian companies that have no one to work with," Christian Parvan, chairman of the Association of businessmen in Romania, told Free Europe.
Companies in Romania are looking for workers mainly from Asia - India, Vietnam, Sri Lanka. Parvan explains this with the serious competition on the European market. "Why would a Ukrainian come to Romania instead of going to Germany or Poland, where offers are better?" he asks rhetorically.
Kathleen Vishan, director of the Conlex construction company, expects 70 Tajiks and 30 Pakistanis to arrive. Nearly half of the 600 workers are foreigners. The monthly expenses for a foreign worker reach 1,200 euros, of which 600-700 euros represent a salary, and the rest are the employer's expenses for accommodation and food.
Vishan admits he cannot find Romanian workers in the long run. "If I find Romanians, they stay for 2-3 days and leave. On the other hand, it is more attractive for them to go to work in Germany, where they are offered 3,000-3,500 euros," said the construction contractor.
In 2022, the number of construction workers rose to nearly 420,000 from 330,000 last year, according to data from the Federation of Construction Company Owners. The cost of a foreign worker is higher than that of a Romanian worker, the organization said.
To address the shortage of workers, business organizations have planned a training system for those wishing to come to work in the country. "We want to make a vocational training system because we saw that the state failed, even though it made programs for vocational high schools," said Adriana Iftime, general manager of the Federation of Employers of Construction Companies.
The increased quota for workers of non-European origin will help companies complete their projects, especially in construction, and will solve some of their problems. "In the construction sector, working with the Asian workforce is not necessarily the easiest. The workers who come from there are not the best craftsmen. We have to work with workers from different cultures, with different sentimental behaviors, different religions," Iftime said.
Romanian employers prefer local employees, but there is nowhere to get them. "Not only do we not have them, but we have nowhere to attract young people to the construction sector," she said.
Foreign workers are also in demand in the transport sector. "We need more than 100,000 drivers for companies in the country. And now we have foreign drivers from Asian countries, especially Sri Lanka," said Vasile Stefanescu, president of the Confederation of Licensed Operators and Carriers in Romania.
Demand for foreign labor for the Romanian market was strong last year, despite the pandemic, Free Europe notes. In the period January - August 2021, the number of companies that requested the issuance of certificates of labor from abroad was 6518 compared to 4135 in 2020.
The problem with bureaucracy
At the same time, recruitment companies say hiring a foreign worker sometimes takes eight months due to bureaucracy. The average waiting period depends on the country from which the workers come. For some countries, such as Nepal, India and Bangladesh, there is a single embassy in Delhi with few staff. You have to wait 5 months for a visa, says Melania Pop from a recruitment company.
A larger quota for foreign workers in Romania is at the request of local businesses so that they can operate this year. Romanian authorities are in talks to replenish consular staff where needed, but restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic have created problems in this regard, Labor Minister Marius Budi told Digi 24.
According to Iosi Peisah, who works for a foreign recruitment company, it is necessary to supplement the number of staff in the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Interior, the Immigration Inspectorate and the Romanian Embassy, respectively, in order to cope the system with the large number of visas and speed up the process.
15.02.2022
THE NATIONAL CONSUMER COOPERATIVE OF THE BLIND IN BULGARIA WAS RECOGNIZED AS A NATIONALLY REPRESENTATIVE ORGANIZATION OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
The government recognized the National Consumer Cooperative of the Blind in Bulgaria as a nationally representative organization of people with disabilities for a period of four years. The cooperative carries out labor and professional inclusion of its members and helps to meet their interests and needs in connection with their socialization in society. The activities of the organization are aimed at employment, material support and organization of training courses according to the needs of its members.
