For three months there is a BGN 50 supplement to the pensions. There are proposals to continue giving until the end of this year. This was commented by the Minister of Social Affairs Denitsa Sacheva on the air of „BNT“. According to her, the relevant ministry will also propose to increase the minimum wage to BGN 650. Currently, the minimum wage in the country is among the lowest in the European Union.
According to Minister Sacheva, if it were not for the 60/40 measure, the unemployment rate would be around 14%, and now it is 7.9%, adding that an analysis of the measure is to be considered during the National Council for Tripartite Cooperation. She also added:
„We hope to keep unemployment to a maximum of 8% by the end of the year. We would consider it a success if we manage to ensure that unemployment does not exceed 300,000 people by the end of the year. To date, there are 244,000 people.“
According to the latest data, about 30 percent of the registered unemployed are from in the fields of restaurant, hotel and tourism sеrvices. Experts estimate that about 20 percent of ordinary people who have seasonal summer work have had the option to work this year. Sacheva believes that it is possible for this to happen in winter tourism as well.
„We expect to see the first signs of higher unemployment in seasonal work in October-November. This is one of the reasons for accepting the proposal we received from the unions to increase the amount of unemployment benefits and to increase the period in which they will be paid. The bill is due to be considered today in a Budget Committee and is likely to be voted on in parliament at first reading by the end of this week. The measure is valid until the end of this year.“
The Unemployment Fund has sufficient guaranteed funds, said the Minister of Social Affairs. According to her, an additional effect of the measure 60/40 is the smaller number of people who work without an employment contract. The trend is observed mainly in the sectors „Restaurants, hotels and tourism“, and „Trade“.
