site.btaTrade Union Blows Whistle about Wave of Forced Early Retirement

Trade Union Blows Whistle about Wave of Forced Early Retirement

Sofia, January 22 (BTA) - The Podkrepa Labour Confederation said Friday that wrong interpretation of legislation allowing early retirement, has actually caused a wave of employees being forced into pensioning off.

Podkrepa wrote in a statement that revisions to the Labour Code last year, which allow employers to send into retirement employees who meet the retirement criteria, is now interpreted as an obligation for employees to retire.

The union says that the legislation was amended despite their warnings and "now we are reaping the adverse effects of this shortsighted policy of incompetent interference in the labour market".

According to Podkrepa, teachers have been the most affected by the legislative changes. A wave of forced retirements is also reported at the Kozloduy N-plant and the state-owned company for radioactive waste, which has affected 100 employees in the recent days.

Podkrepa recalls that the aim of the legislative changes, which were adopted by consensus in the tripartite council, was to limit early retirement. "Instead, they paved the way to this and put the initiative in the hands of employers," said Podkrepa.

The union has informed the Labour Minister and expects to see a procedure to change the controversial legislation.