site.btaSocial Assistance Agency Workers Protest, Demand Higher Pay

Employees of the Social Assistance Agency (SAA) will take to the streets here on Tuesday between 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to state their demands for wage increases. The Podkrepa Labour Confederation, which organizes the protest, said that social assistance directorates from across the country will actively join the protest actions.

Podkrepa's Kremena Atanassova told BTA that talks of a 30% wage increase began in 2023, and there was one increase, which she described as insultingly low. Employees are appointed at a gross monthly salary of BGN 1,100, which comes to a net salary of BGN 850. Atanassova stressed the lack of measures to attract young staff into the system.

Meanwhile, the volume of work is extremely high, as SAA workers care for the most vulnerable members of society: children at risk, the elderly and people with disabilities. SAA is also among the first responders at times of natural disasters.

Atanassova reported that she met with SAA's executive director, who assured her that he is looking for ways to offer higher wages. She added that people workers have already listened to too many promises and are ready for an effective strike.