Bulgaria's CITUB union demands at least 10% pay rise for public sector
With warning protests in Varna, Shumen and Ruse, CITUB is pushing for the 2027 budget. Proposed Labour Code changes failed to win agreement in the tripartite council.
Graphic: TERRA WORLD NEWS (own graphic based on the sources listed)
The Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB) has launched a series of protests for higher public sector wages. It is demanding a rise of at least 10% in 2027, which would require just over 732 million euros in the state budget. Staff at the regional library in Varna kicked off the campaign on Monday with a 10-minute warning action; Shumen follows on Tuesday and Ruse on Wednesday. Workers in agriculture, education, healthcare, culture and communications are also expected to join.
"With food and fuel prices rising, people's purchasing power is declining," CITUB Vice President Todor Kapitanov said. Incomes in this year's budget were initially frozen and raised by 5% only after union pressure, and not for everyone. According to CITUB, a young library employee starts on about 700 euros. The union also wants planned mergers of administrations to be discussed with staff beforehand.
The National Council for Tripartite Cooperation failed on Monday to agree on Labour Code changes proposed by the Vazrazhdane party. They provide for a new public holiday, a "Day of National Reconciliation", and for scrapping the six-month cap on compensation for unlawful dismissal. Employers' organisations oppose both proposals, and Labour Minister Natalia Efremova spoke out against the holiday. There was also no consensus on a new method for setting the minimum wage, because the Podkrepa union does not back it.