site.btaSocialists Slam Rejection of Legal Amendment Aiming to Improve Low Pay Levels for Researchers, University Professors

Sofia, July 14 (BTA) - In a strong-worded declaration Friday, the parliamentary group of the Bulgarian Socialist Party called for measures to address the problem with the low pay for researchers and professors in the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, the Agricultural Academy and the higher schools. "It is mainly due to the low pay and inadequate conditions for research that Bulgarian researchers leave this country in large numbers and leave entire research areas lacking of human resources," MP Anelia Klissarova told the plenary on behalf of her group.

On Thursday, on 77-40 votes with 69 abstentions the legislature defeated revisions to the Academia Development Act proposed by the Socialists, to introduce minimum monthly remuneration for researchers and faculty members in higher education establishments, as well as the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and the Agricultural Academy.

"Unfortunately, this motion was yet again dismissed by the ruling majority without arguments or alternative proposals," said Klissarova.

She said that the Socialists' legal initiative would have affected the pay for 16,000 researchers and professors and was about their minimum pay. She said it is imperative for Bulgaria to start investing in research. This country currently sets aside 0.25 per cent of its GDP for scientific research against 2-2.5 per cent in the rest of Europe, she added.

Klissarova also said that young researchers make up a mere 11 per cent of the academia in Bulgaria. "It is an illusion to expect that the economy can advance without education and research," she said.