"The tension is already really huge. The issue is not whether to protest, but when. There is more and more talk of an effective strike and a real work stoppage", said the chairwoman of the Union of Administrative Employees at the "Podkrepa" Confederation of Civil Servants Kremena Atanasova to the Bulgarian National Radio. According to her, inflation has long eaten away the 5% salary increase.
"We expect that the budget salaries will be paid at the end of February. In January, the so-called annual assessment of the state administration took place, which is absolutely meaningless. The inflation data concern a past period, and everyone working in the state and municipal administration will have to cover their bills and expenses this year. This increase will in no way preserve people's purchasing power," Atanasova pointed out, quoted by news.bg.
She also said that in recent weeks, many employees have left various institutions, such as the Social Assistance Agency (ASA), the National Statistical Institute (NSI), and the National Social Security Institute (NSI), which are among the key administrations in the country. "There is a lot of work there, the pay is too low. This process will now intensify", warned Kremena Atanasova.
She also said that there is no one with whom trade unionists can conduct social dialogue. "If we start negotiations, then in a month the government changes. New elections are scheduled and we are back to square one," she added.
The chairman of the Trade Union of Administrative Employees at the Trade Union "Podkrepa" stated that no talks have been held with colleagues from the Confederation of Bulgarian Trade Unions (CITUB) to agree on future actions, but such are certainly forthcoming.
"We have no intention of waiting for anyone - a caretaker cabinet or a new regular cabinet, we believe that a solution can be found immediately for the sectors that are in the most difficult situation - a decree of the Council of Ministers to allocate additional funds for an increase", said Atanasova. According to her, the necessary funds can be taken from the buffers in the budget, which in her words is the capital program. "We are talking about several tens of millions, which can be found without any problem", she explained.
Kremena Atanasova is categorical that in no case is the state administration bloated. "It is at the average European level. We do not mind examining the entire state apparatus and seeing if there is a need for restructuring. In no case can cuts be made without reviewing the administration. But to say that we need to cut 20, 30, 40% and to articulate outright lies such as that the administration is 600 thousand is absolutely unacceptable," she emphasized.
The trade unionist believes that the main problem in the state administration is that financial resources are not distributed fairly. "We want a 20% increase in funds. The distribution must take place according to a mechanism that is coordinated and approved by the representatives of the workers and employees - the trade union organizations, so that we can at least partially smooth out the imbalances," Atanasova said.