site.btaAverage Real Wage Up 31-32% in Four Years - Union Leader

Average Real Wage Up 31-32% in Four Years - Union Leader

Pleven, Northern Bulgaria, October 10 (BTA) - The Bulgarians' average real wage rose 31-32 per cent in the last four years, said Plamen Dimitrov, President of the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB).

The Bulgarians still are the poorest EU citizens, Dimitrov told a news conference hosted by BTA's local press club. He stressed that the trade unions helped to end the pay freeze imposed by Simeon Djankov, the finance minister of GERB's first cabinet (2009-2013).

CITUB is adamant that wages must rise between 8 and 10 or 15 per cent in 2017 as demanded by the market, which is open to the EU countries. "While Bulgarians find better paid jobs abroad, we will not be able to stem the brain drain," he said.

He is confident that it is realistic to see an average real wage of 1,000-1,200 leva a month for educated employees within three years. This could stop the immigration of 40-50,000 working-age people a year.

The largest pay rise next year, 25 per cent, should be budgeted for social workers, according to Dimitrov.

CITUB and the Podkrepa Confederation of Labour will analyse what has been agreed  with the Finance Ministry and the private sector by the end of October.

"If the agreed income rises are insufficient, we are ready to launch nationwide action which will lead up to a protest rally in Sofia, to set forth demands to employers and politicians," CITUB's President said.

This is the first time the two trade unions have launched a coordinated effort in the state-financed sector while next year's budget is being drafted, and in the private sector which is planning its payroll expenses.