site.btaMunicipal Budget Not Enough to Meet Demands of Public Transport Workers

The issue of decent wages is important and we are looking for a solution. Unfortunately, the budget of the Sofia Municipality cannot allow us to meet the demands of public transport workers, so it is important that we work with the state to find the necessary funds, Sofia Deputy Mayor Ivan Vassilev told journalists. He said that funds earmarked from the municipal budget are BGN 15 million, which means an increase of BGN 100 per worker.

Vassilev said that it is important for the Sofia Municipality to make commitments that can be fulfilled. The Deputy Mayor said that it is possible to make “targeted increases where needed for drivers”. Again, he indicated that there is a need for a state's assistance. 

I hope the city will not stop so that together we can find a solution to this problem, Vassilev said in response to a question from BTA about the possibility of more serious blockades in the capital. He said many sectors in the state have been underfunded over the years, but this should not inconvenience citizens. And he assured that he would hold a dialogue with the trade unions. 

Already during the very first year of our term, we increased the salaries in the transport sector by 15% and introduced a bonus system, he said.

The deputy mayor came to the protesters at the intersection near the Vasil Levski Stadium metro station, where the traffic has been closed since about 8 am. The protesters are demanding a bigger pay rise than already planned. Car tires were placed at the intersection and sticks were burned as a symbol of the workers' “burnt hopes”. 

The intersections at Eagle’s Bridge and Macedonia Square were also blocked.