site.btaEmployer Organisations: Salary Increase Possible Next Year

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Employer Organisations: Salary Increase
Possible
Next Year


Sofia, November 21 (BTA) - Emerging from a meeting with the Prime Minister Wednesday, employer organisations declared that next year there is an opportunity to raise salaries in the companies that are members of the national business organisations. The employers were not unanimous about the percentages of the increase, which ranged from eight per cent to two-digit values.

Economy Minister Emil Karanikolov pointed out that investments this year have increased by 2 per cent and businesses have invested in machines and equipment. This, he said, is proof that the business circles want to remain in Bulgaria.

Deputy PM Tomislav Donchev recalled that the income policy covers over 3 million people, only half a million of whom are employed in the public sector for whom the state has undertaken to increase their salaries. The other remunerations are not determined by it.

Salaries in the public sector will be raised by 10 per cent next year.

On the subject of recent protests, the Confederation of Industrial Capital in Bulgaria (KRIB) said that they are not numerous but hinder the economy and the people. According to Kiril Domuschiev, the decision of the state cannot be made under pressure from the streets. The state needs stability. A caretaker government or new elections definitely won't help increase people's incomes and that of the Bulgarian economy, the KRIB Board Chairman declared. He called upon the government to take the necessary measures regarding the protests and turned to the parties to stop with "populist statements".

Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) President Tsvetan Simeonov said he does not support the expression of certain positions through protests.

Karanikolov stated that everyone in a democratic state can protest but without causing problems for the others.

Plamen Dimitrov, President of the Confederation of Trade Unions in Bulgaria, said that the trend required for a continued two-digit increase of incomes exists and will be guaranteed next year. Seventy-eight per cent of the employed work in the private sector and the trade unions want this agreement for higher salaries is heard by the private sector, he added.

"Today we discussed the hot labour market and the shortage of staff. That is why dozens of our compatriots from Ukraine and Moldova can attracted here, to work under no worse conditions than Bulgarian workers," Dimitrov said.

Podkrepa Confederation of Labour President Dimiter Manolov called upon President Rumen Radev to uphold the position prepared by trade unions, employers and ministers in defence of Bulgarian coal mining and power generation from this coal when he goes to the Climate Change Conference in Katowice, Poland.

Next week this trade union is organizing a march in support of Bulgaria's position for preserving coal mining./RY/BR