site.btaTransport Minister, Rail Workers Discuss Remuneration and Working Conditions

Transport and Communication Minister Georgi Gvozdeikov Thursday conferred with workers of the Bulgarian State Railways (BDZ) and the National Company Railway Infrastructure from across the country, Gvozdeikov’s Ministry said. The main topics of the discussions were remuneration, working conditions, and staff shortages in the two companies.

The meeting was organized on Gvozdeikov's initiative in connection with a number of rail workers’ complaints and signals. The Minister said that opportunities will be sought to secure a phased remuneration increase, the introduction of newer technology and working condition improvements on the 2024 budget.  

“One of the reasons why the railways are currently in this state is the fact that no sufficiently effective analysis has been done so far and no long-term solutions have been found to the problems the two companies face,”  Gvozdeikov said, noting that nothing has been done about transport costs since 2017. He added that there should be a clear tariff policy so that the companies do not operate at a loss.

The Transport Minister recalled that BGN 2 billion under the Recovery and Resilience Plan alone is earmarked for the purchase of new rolling stock. He noted that all railway infrastructure projects should be given stronger impetus. “The huge financial resources that for years have been allocated to this mode of transport should be an incentive to change the vision for the Bulgarian railway sector's development," he added.

Earlier in the day, Gvozdeikov addressed an international Bulgarian-Turkish business forum focused on the railway sector, saying that 64 BDZ trains will be equipped with the latest security system.