site.btaEconomy Minister Nikolov Calls for Resignation of LB Bulgaricum Management

Caretaker Economy and Industry Minister Petko Nikolov held a meeting with employees of the State-owned yogurt and dairy products company LB Bulgaricum, who have taken protest actions since Tuesday, the Economy Ministry said in a press release on Wednesday. 

The meeting was also attended by the management of the enterprise and representatives of trade union organizations. During the meeting, a number of accumulated problems were highlighted and requests were made for an increase in basic salaries, for the provision of specialized work clothing, for compliance with working conditions and schedules for the cumulative calculation of working hours, and others. The meeting brought to light the disrupted dialogue between the workers and the management.

The employees also signaled that a large amount of accumulated finished products is at risk of not being sold on the market.

At the meeting, Minister Nikolov demanded the resignation of the entire management of LB Bulgaricum and ordered the State Consolidation Company (SCC), which is the principal of the company, to take the necessary actions for an urgent change and registration of a new board. Nikolov also ordered the SCC and the new composition of the enterprise to develop conditions which would facilitate the increase salaries by up to 30%. Additionally, the Economy Minister ordered that all possibilities for the modernization of LB Bulgaricum be considered and that normal working conditions be ensured by fulfilling the instructions of the General Labour Inspectorate.

The Minister pointed out the strategic importance of LB Bulgaricum for the Bulgarian dairy industry and was adamant that it is necessary to restore the social dialogue between the workers and the management of the company and guarantee the sustainable development of the enterprise.