Unions expect strikes for higher wages in the public sector

Plamen Dimitrov, president of Bulgaria’s largest trade union, the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB), told Nova Television that many people are expected to take to the streets in early February to demand higher incomes.

Dimitrov said he did not understand why the second draft of the budget had been described as “thieving” when it came to pension and wage increases.

“The budget affects people working in state and municipal institutions,” he said, adding that around 600,000 people depend on budget funding. Of those, 126,000 work in state- or municipally owned enterprises.

He cited employees of the state railways, Sofia’s public transport system, Bulgarian Posts, and the education sector as examples.

Dimitrov added that when wages do not rise in the public sector, the private sector also holds back.

Editor: Ivo Ivanov
Posted in English by E. Radkova