One in Five Foreign Workers in Bulgaria Is Uzbek

Illegal recruitment agencies in Uzbekistan are sending workers to Bulgaria with promises of salaries of 5,000 leva (€2,560). The reality often discourages them from staying, leaving employers at a loss. Officials, employer organisations and businesses met in Ruse on Wednesday to discuss how to avoid such pitfalls and improve economic and trade ties between the two countries, public broadcaster BNT reported.

The forum revealed that one in five work permits issued in Bulgaria for foreign employees goes to Uzbek citizens. Since the start of the year, 62 Uzbeks have been legally employed in Ruse. However, many use entry into the Schengen area as a gateway to move on to a third country. The meeting also highlighted persistent delays in visa procedures for Asian workers seeking employment in Bulgaria.