site.btaMinister Shalapatova Discusses Supporting the Roma in Bulgaria with Ambassadors

Minister of Labour and Social Policy Ivanka Shalapatova discussed opportunities for the integration and support of the Roma community in Bulgaria during a meeting of diplomatic missions of the countries of the European Union and the European Economic Area in Bulgaria at the invitation of the ambassadors of Ireland Martina Feeney and Switzerland Raimund Fuhrer, said the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy on its website on Tuesday.

"Support for the Roma community in Bulgaria is no different from that for other vulnerable groups in society. In implementing the Government's Management Programme, our priority is investment in people from an early age, with an emphasis on supporting families and providing integrated services in coordination with all involved ministries and institutions," Shalapatova said. As part of the support for an equal start for vulnerable groups, she highlighted providing social services and working with specialists in terms of counselling, advocacy, rehabilitation and therapy, support for the acquisition of key skills, provision of day and residential care.

"The work of the Employment Agency and labour mediators, who work in the field to activate persons inactive on the labour market, also gives very positive results," the Minister added. In the 15 years since the start of the Activation of Inactive Persons National Programme, Roma labour mediators have motivated 150,000 inactive and people to work,” she added.