site.btaNational Ombudsman Manolova Comments on Rousse Shipyard, Sofia District Heating Company

120 ECONOMY - OMBUDSMAN - ROUSSE SHIPYARD, DISTRICT HEATING

National Ombudsman Manolova
Comments on Rousse Shipyard,
Sofia District Heating Company


Rousse, on the Danube, May 29 (BTA) - Bulgaria's National Ombudsman Maya Manolova Monday met with the leadership of the local chapter of the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB) to discuss the problems of the workers of Rousse Shipyard West JSC.

CITUB Local Chairman Hristo Yordanov recalled that the enterprise was sealed on February 24, 2017 by a private enforcement agent acting on court order. Thus, some 110 people were left without work and with four monthly wages unpaid, being held hostage to their employers' financial mishaps.

The shipyard was ordered to suspend operations on a petition from the trustees in bankruptcy of the failed Corpbank, to which the enterprise owes over 30 million leva.

Manolova commented that, under the legislation in force, the shipyard workers' chances of getting their money are slim. "Again, we see the court dragging its feet: the bankruptcy proceedings have not started for a year now. The initial date of insolvency is important for workers because it depends on it whether they will get paid by the Fund Guaranteeing the Claims of Bankrupt Enterprises. If this does not happen within three months after their employment relationships are terminated, the 1,200 leva that each employee is guaranteed by the State will be lost."

The Ombudsman promised to refer the Rousse Shipyard case to the prosecution service and to the Minister of Transport and to approach the General Labour Inspectorate and the National Revenue Agency. She will insist on legislative amendments in this area.

Manolova also commented on a recent interpretative judgment of the Supreme Court of Cassation, which determined that an apartment owner can be exempt from payment for heat power supplied to the common parts of the condominium building only if all owners of apartments in the building decide so by a two-thirds majority. The Ombudsman described the judgment as "unfair to Bulgarian citizens" and "lacking substance". She admitted that the Supreme Court did not find a conflict between the Energy Act and the Consumer Protection Act but argued that the Energy Act in particular treats Bulgarian citizens unfairly. "The National Assembly is the institution that can revise this law in the interest of their constituents," Manolova said. "Sofianites now pay for the mismanagement of the Sofia District Heating Company. Those who do not wish to be supplied with heat power are nevertheless forced to pay the building system charge," the Ombudsman said. She pointed out that the largest number of complaints reaching her office are against the "monopolist Sofia District Heating Company". LI/LG
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