site.btaUPDATED Bulgaria Considers European Labour Authority Important Partner

European labour market challenges were discussed in Sofia Monday at a meeting between European Labour Authority (ELA) Executive Director Cosmin Boiangiu and Sofia University students. The meeting was on the agenda of Boiangiu's official visit to Bulgaria.

The guest told the students that the ELA collects data and makes analyses about labour market trends, and seeks to suppress undeclared work.

The ELA tries to ensure that European legislation in this domain is implemented in the same way in all EU countries, Boiangiu said. He noted that while the ELA does not encourage people to leave their country to look for work elsewhere, it still wants to see that such individuals receive the same rights and guarantees in the receiving country as they would in their own country.

Labour and Social Policy Minister Ivanka Shalapatova said at the discussion that the ELA is a very important partner to Bulgaria in protecting the rights of Bulgarians working abroad and the rights of foreigners working in Bulgaria. Established just five years ago, the ELA has a significant role to play in the policies on migrant workers and in preventing labour exploitation, Shalapatova said.

She noted that a cooperation programme is being drafted between her ministry and Sofia University. "We will initiate a series of studies in the field of labour and social policy so we can obtain scientific data to enable us to forecast the situation on the labour market and in the social-policy world in five or 10 years. The aim is to put current policies on a preemptive basis."

During the discussion the students learned details about the work of the ELA. They asked Boiangiu questions about labour market challenges, ways to guarantee labour rights, mobile employment and the posting of workers.