The President of Podkrepa Confederation of Trade Unions, Dimitar Manolov, stated on bTV that the claims that the state administration is the "most benefited" from the new budget, are a myth.
According to him, the increase in salaries for most civil servants is only 5-6% and does not cover inflation, and with the introduction of an additional 2% social security contributions, there is actually "nothing left for distribution".
Manolov stressed that the system for forming salaries is "deeply flawed", because most of the increase goes to employees with the highest salaries, while those with low salaries receive minimal amounts. He insisted that part of the funds be distributed through agreements with unions, as was the case in previous budgets.
According to him, there are serious imbalances in the administration - from structures with few employees and low salaries to units with vacant positions, whose budgets are charged with additional funds. He gave examples of agencies and centers whose functions are duplicated or have minimal real activity, and stated that some of these administrations should be closed or optimized.
The leader of "Podkrepa" also commented on the topic of pension insurance for civil servants, indicating that the unions have no objections to them paying for it themselves, but only if all other rights and restrictions are equalized with the private sector.
Manolov confirmed that the protests in various sectors will continue, including in healthcare, agriculture, forestry, social services and the labor inspection. The biggest wave of dissatisfaction is expected to be around the 26th, in parallel with the finalization of the state budget. According to him, there is currently no danger that the institutions will stop working, but this cannot be ruled out if the crisis deepens.