site.btaGovernment, Trade Unions Agree on Keeping Retirement Age Unchanged in 2015

Government, Trade Unions
Agree on Keeping Retirement
Age Unchanged in 2015


Sofia, December 14 (BTA) - The Government and trade unions
Sunday signed a memorandum of understanding, according to which
the retirement age will remain unchanged in 2015 and a long-term
solution to the issues related to the pension reform should be
found by March 31. The document was signed by the Confederation
of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria and the Podkrepa
Confederation of Labour.

The memorandum also stipulates that next year a minimum
retirement age will be introduced for all categories of insured
persons.

The government and the trade unions also agreed on the
criminalisation of social insurance contributions evasion by the
insured or self-insured persons, as well as on the adoption of
other measures for the increase of contributions'
collectability.

As of next year, the insured persons will be able to freely
choose their insurance regime for early retirement: through the
state public insurance or through the professional retirement
funds, with the conditions for early retirement remaining
unchanged.

Prime Minister Boyko Borissov told a briefing at the Council of
Minister after the memorandum's signing that they are not
looking for any political asset but for national agreement on
the pension reform. The meeting with the trade unions was
attended by Labour and Social Minister Ivailo Kalfin, Finance
Minister Vladislav Goranov and parliamentary Budget Committee
Chair Menda Stoyanova.

Borissov said that he has agreed on the continuing increase of
the length of service for retirement of third-category workers
by four months as of next year.

In his words, both in the banking and the pension system the
parties and politicians "have kept their heads hidden in the
sand like ostriches" for years. "We use 53 per cent of the
budget money from taxes to pay pensions, while at the same time
we have pension funds. Everything is turned upside down,"
Borissov said. The Government and the trade unions do not have
differing opinions on any topic, he noted.

The PM called on all parliamentary represented forces to talk
with employers and trade unions and together to guarantee
people's incomes and pensions. "We can impose by force with the
majority we now have, but neither is the State ours, nor should
people's fate be decided by one or several parties," he said.

The Prime Minister noted that the talks with the employers
continue. In his words, he has committed to talk in person with
BSP-Left Bulgaria leader Mihail Mikov, Movement for Rights and
Freedoms leader Lyutvi Mestan, the Bulgarian Democratic Centre
and even with Ataka leader Volen Siderov.

Regarding the conditions for retirement in the various spheres,
Borissov said that he wants the separation of those working in
the security system, such as police officers, gendarmerie
officers and firefighters, from those working in administration.


PK/DS

/ДЛ/