site.btaCITUB President: Bulgaria Still Struggles to Erase Absurd Definition of Working Poor - Working People Who Cannot Escape Poverty

Bulgarian workers are still fighting for pay equity, for the elimination of income inequalities, to erase the absurd definition in this country that describes people who work but cannot get out of poverty - "the working poor", Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB) President Plamen Dimitrov said in a greeting address, published on CITUB's website on Wednesday on the occasion of Labor Day.

For this reason, CITUB does not stop insisting on income growth in all sectors to outpace inflation, does not stop fighting for the minimum wage to reach the living wage, Dimitrov said. In order for all this to happen, in order for us to embark on the path of real convergence with the rest of the EU, first of all, Bulgaria must introduce into its legislation the requirements of the EU directive on adequate minimum wages and the promotion of collective labour agreements. Unionisation unites all around a common goal - a decent life, decent income and decent working conditions, Dimitrov noted. 

"Happy Labour Day, brothers and sisters! Happy holiday to all those who with their knowledge and skills support themselves and their families, but also contribute to the development and well-being of society! Today is a holiday. It is a celebration of labour rights won, but also a day to reflect on how much remains to be achieved", Plamen Dimitrov said. 

It was 138 years ago on this day that the first strike in the United States took place in Chicago with over 300,000 workers. But the battle for workers' rights did not stop there. Back then, the 8-hour workday was a chimera. In our present it often is too, Dimitrov said.