site.btaSocial Policy Minister Rules Out 10% Public Sector Wage Increase under Current Budget

Labour and Social Policy Minister Borislav Gutsanov Tuesday ruled out a 10% increase of public sector wages under the current budget.

Asked to comment on the unions' insistence on a 10% pay rise in underfunded areas within the current year, Gutsanov said: "It is normal for the unions to ask for an increase in funds - not 5%, but 10%. I do not think in this budget, at this stage, that can happen." Earlier Tuesday, Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria President Plamen Dimitrov said that tensions in some sectors were not abating, and employees were ready to protest.

Gutsanov stated: "We did the impossible from a 'hole' of BGN 18 billion to make a budget, to comply with the Swiss rule for pensioners, to have Easter allowances, no matter how minimal, to not raise taxes, which was extremely important, to have a 5% increase in wages." He concluded that it would be very difficult to achieve more at this stage.

The Minister reported that a meeting with employers' organizations and trade unions has been scheduled for Friday to discuss the transposition of the European directive on adequate minimum wages.

Earlier Friday, Gutsanov gave a public lecture at the University of National and World Economy in Sofia on the topic of work, social insurance, and rights.