site.btaCollective Agreement in Brewery Industry Made to Apply across Sector

Bulgaria's caretaker Labour and Social Policy Minister Ivaylo Ivanov has signed an order to make a collective agreement in the brewery industry to apply across the sector. The agreement will be in force until April 1, 2026, the Ministry’s press service said. The order was issued at the request of the Union of Brewers in Bulgaria, the Trade Union of Brewers and Food and Beverage Producers of the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria, and the Food and Beverage Industry Federation of the Podkrepa Trade Union, which are the parties to the agreement .

The clauses for better working conditions and remuneration will apply to workers in all enterprises involved in beer and malt production. The provisions of the collective agreement guarantee better opportunities for sustainable employment and career development, training, and professional qualification. The agreement also regulates the interaction between the parties to the agreement with a view to improving labour productivity and the implementation of policies and practices for sustainable environmental, social, and corporate governance, Ministry added.

The sectoral collective agreement envisages additional paid annual leave, higher additional remuneration, and requirements for the provision of healthier and safer working conditions. The minimum wage for employees in large enterprises with permanent contracts will stand at no less than BGN 1,100 in 2024 and no less than BGN 1,200 in 2025. The minimum wage for employees in micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises will be equal to the minimum wage for the country for the relevant year, the Ministry said.

Sustainable investments, growth in beer production, ongoing innovation and successful social initiatives were reported by the Union of Brewers in Bulgaria over the summer. The four warmest months of the year also generated 45% of annual beer sales and revenues, with an average of 3.6 million jugs of beer sold per day, the organization said.