site.btaNew Minimum Monthly Wage Raise to Increase Income of 500,000-Plus Workers, Labour Minister Says

Labor and Social Policy Minister Ivanka Shalapatova Thursday said that the income increase for workers and pensioners has been tackled with priority. "The minimum monthly wage will rise to BGN 933, which is a nearly 20% increase compared to its current level," she noted in a video address on the results of the Labour and Social Policy Ministry in the period June 6 – December 15, 2023. The Minister added that the new minimum monthly wage raise will increase the income of over 500,000 workers.

As to the improvement of the labour market situation, Shalapatova noted that a voucher scheme for free digital skills training was introduced on December 21. "We are actively working on our policies to reduce poverty and the risk of social exclusion among children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Thanks to the intervention of the General Labour Inspectorate, over BGN 6 million in wage arrears were paid in the second half of 2023. Some 2,000 cases of people working without employment contracts have also been found," Shalapatova noted.

As of July 1, 2024, all pensions granted until the end of 2023 will be increased by 11%. The average pension will reach BGN 833, which is an increase of BGN 100 compared to the current year, the Labour Minister said. She cited the eased conditions for starting a business as another achievement.

"We expanded the energy assistance programme and provided heating assistance of BGN 547 to nearly 325,000 families and people living alone. With funding from the European Union, under the SAFE project, we provided support of BGN 148 to 357,000 more families to cover the rising costs of heating bills,” Shalapatova said.

She recalled that her Ministry had to take urgent measures to overcome the damage caused by natural disasters during the year.

Shalapatova added that the Labor and Social Policy Ministry has started working on planning and coordinating policies for early childhood development together with the Education and Science Ministry and the Health Ministry. "We are on the home straight when it comes to the preparation to move children out of the last four children’s care homes of the old type left: the cause of my entire professional life for the last 30 years," Shalapatova said.