site.bta President Radev Talks with International Trade Union Confederation Chief

President Radev Talks with International Trade Union Confederation Chief

Sofia, May 3 (BTA) - Bulgaria needs to adapt to the ongoing digitization of the economy and promote youth employment in the digital segment, President Rumen Radev told International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) General Secretary Sharan Burrow during a meeting in Sofia Wednesday, as quoted by his press secretariat.

The meeting was also attended by the leader of the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria, Plamen Dimitrov.

Radev said: "We need economic incentives to attract investors, who should be drawn not only by the low pay rates in Bulgaria." The President was adamant that the current model is not sustainable and will continue to drive Bulgarians out of their country over the long term. The low pay rates here compared with other EU member states have caused a shortage of skilled employees in some sectors of the national economy, he noted.

He went on to say: "Bulgaria will not achieve real integration into the EU unless the people's incomes and living standards become commensurate with the levels in the other European countries."

For her part, Burrow said that social stratification and social exclusion can cause big problems affecting democracy in a given country. The guest underlined the good cooperation between the ITUC and Bulgaria, which she said can improve social dialogue in the country. She highlighted the organization's efforts to maintain active dialogue with employers and governments around the world in order to ensure fair pay for workers and sustainable business models.

Radev and Burrow concurred that access to quality education is essential for anyone who wants to find a good job and become fully integrated in society. The President stressed the Bulgarian trade unions' role in phasing in dual education which combines learning and apprenticeship. He noted that dual education is one of the drivers of employment.