site.btaLabour Inspectorate Establishes Attempts to Circumvent Rules of Foreigner Employment in Bulgaria through Training

Labour Inspectorate Establishes Attempts to Circumvent Rules of Foreigner Employment in Bulgaria through Training

Sofia, March 10 (BTA) - The General Labour Inspectorate (GLI) has found that the rules for access of non-EU nationals to Bulgaria's labour market are sometimes circumvented by falsely presenting tourism workers as trainees. The conclusion was drawn after a series of inspections at winter resorts during the high tourist season, the GLI reported on Friday.

In 19 cases, the authorities proved beyond doubt that non-EU nationals had worked here without permission. Ukrainians and Moldovans are mostly sent to Bulgaria for "practical courses" by force of agreements between training organizations and partner enterprises such as hotels and restaurants. They come on tourist visas or cultural exchange visas and have no labour contracts.

The probes established that the organizations do not have the licence required for training.

The so-called "trainees" have working hours according to their location, positions, night shifts and certain remuneration. However, they do not have labour contracts for internships or training in compliance with the Labour Code.

The procedure for access to the Bulgarian labour market for nationals of such countries is defined in the Labour Migration and Labour Mobility Act and the rules for its application. The competent authority providing the access is the Employment Agency.

Inspectors from six labour inspection directorates were involved in making 375 probes of 348 enterprises with over 6,100 employees in them. The campaign shows that tourism continues to be at risk in terms of compliance with the rules for pay, working hours and employment contracts. Ninety-one statements establishing administrative violations were served.