site.btaLabour Minister: Bulgaria Preparing Measures for Full Integration of Ukrainians

Bulgaria is preparing new measures aimed at ensuring the full integration of Ukrainian nationals in society, Minister of Labour and Social Policy Ivanka Shalapatova Thursday said at a meeting with Ukrainian Ambassador in Sofia Olesya Ilashchuk. Ukrainians in this country should feel not only protected but also fully accepted, Shalapatova added, as quoted by the Labour Ministry.

Deputy Labour Minister Ginka Mashova explained that the new measures will include activities for labour market integration, support for children's education, training for older persons, and opportunities for social assistance. Mashova took part in the meeting together wit experts from the National Employment Agency, the Social Assistance Agency, and the State Agency for Child Protection.

Legislative measures are also planned to guarantee the rights of unaccompanied children from Ukraine. In the January-June period, the social assistance directorates in Bulgaria worked on 24 cases of unaccompanied underage refugees; protection measures were taken.

In Shalapatova's words, the presence of Ukrainians is a treasure for Bulgaria. All of the Labour Ministry's structures approach their rights with huge respect. "Our goal is to provide the best start in life for Ukrainian children. We will take measures directed at the social inclusion of older persons," she said. Sixty-two Ukrainians have been provided with a monthly financial support under the Persons with Disabilities Act.

Mashova underscored that Bulgaria has made revisions to the Employment Promotion Act that give Ukrainians with temporary asylum the opportunity to use all employment measures and programmes to which Bulgarian nationals are entitled. According to data of the National Employment Agency, nearly 6,000 Ukrainians found a job with the help of labour offices from March 1, 2022 to October 31, 2023. Of them, 3,500 have started working under the Solidarity Project.

The Ukrainian Ambassador thanked for the efforts and measures for the adaptation and integration of Ukrainian refugees in Bulgaria. She and Minister Shalapatova also discussed the option for future joint initiatives to provide olders persons and children with better care and full inclusion in society.