site.btaKarvuna Psychiatric Hospital Staff Protest for Fair Wages, Improved Working Conditions

Doctors, healthcare professionals, and employees at the State Psychiatric Hospital in Karvuna, Balchik Municipality, support the ongoing protests of their colleagues, Hospital Director Tihomira Stiliyanova told BTA’s Pavlina Zhivkova on Wednesday. The protesters are demanding fair wages, better working conditions, and a higher labor classification. 

Stiliyanova noted that the protest does not interfere with the work process at the hospital, as only off-duty staff are taking part. "Everyone in the hospital supports these demands. We have poor working conditions, too few staff, and it's difficult to attract new specialists," she said. She also highlighted additional challenges, such as the poor road leading to the hospital, low salaries, and an aging workforce.

"A young specialist with good education prefers to work in the private sector for a better salary. Here, one doctor covers four departments during a shift, with only one nurse and one or two orderlies per department," she added.

Stiliyanova emphasized that psychiatric hospitals handle severe cases. "Our patients have either committed serious crimes, including murder, or have been admitted under the Health Act. Yet, we don’t even have security," she said.

The hospital has a capacity for 90 patients, but currently, only 16 are staying there.

The Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria will hold a protest near the National Assembly building on Thursday under the slogan "We want a clear wage increase with Budget 2025." The trade unions want to secure additional nearly BGN 250 million for salary increases in institutions that include the National Social Security Institute, National Employment Agency, Social Assistance Agency, National Health Insurance Fund, Bulgarian State Railways, BNT, BNR, BTA, structures of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, public transport, school and child healthcare.