Things are slowly and surely improving, but so slowly that we cannot even feel them and rejoice in them.
"There are people who cannot make ends meet, even though they work 10-12 hours a day. Income growth has been stable in recent years - between 13% and 15% nominally since 2021. In 4 years, we have had an increase in the minimum wage by nearly 56-57%, and in the average wage by nearly 50%. These are average numbers," said Plamen Dimitrov, president of the Confederation of Bulgarian Trade Unions, quoted by the Bulgarian National Radio. He explained that this increase largely covers inflation. The trade unionist noted the high prices of basic food products and summarized for the working Bulgarian:
"Even with these rates of income growth, he continues to be unfairly assessed and his income is not enough to live decently. 2/3 of working Bulgarians work for a salary below the average, only 1/3 are at it or higher. About 280 thousand work for a minimum wage full-time. Another 250-260 thousand receive an income up to the minimum wage, but do not work 8 hours, but less".
At the moment, there is a glaring need for at least a 10-15% increase in incomes, so that the feeling that we are chasing prices and catching up with them can be somehow extinguished, Plamen Dimitrov was categorical in an interview for the program "Nedelya 150". According to him, what "exploded people" with the budget, is the excessive action towards the "Security" sector:
"When for some there is 50 or more percent, and for others there is none or there is some ridiculous 5% - this blows everyone up and with good reason".
He expects the protests and pressure in the public media - BNR, BNT and BTA, which are preparing for a protest on May 15, to continue. Many private media will support them, Dimitrov pointed out.
And he added that there is tension in other sectors as well - agriculture, children's healthcare, agencies, etc.
"The tension will continue and the rulers must hear it. This is not a call for destabilization. We are talking in total about 150 - 200 million leva, so that these underfunded sectors, agencies and structures can receive a minimum increase of 10-15%, so that there can be some justice. Against the backdrop of a 97 billion budget, this is something that any finance minister can find, without any negatives".
According to the union, there is at least 5 billion in buffer, set expenses that will not be fulfilled.
The government is thinking about the issue, the president of the CITUB pointed out. He is moderately optimistic that very soon, in the next few weeks, the finance minister will find a solution.
He also reminded of the protests in public transport, where an effective strike and complete paralysis of the capital are being prepared, if a solution is not found.
"I hear that other protests are being prepared - we are about to hear about them after the holidays as a schedule. Including the RIA - perhaps some highways will be blocked. This may happen in the second half of May".
Nothing is given for free, the fight continues, Plamen Dimitrov was categorical.
"Apart from salaries, I think we have good social benefits in both legislation and collective labor agreements".
According to him, the numbers confirm that the fight must continue. The net amount of the minimum subsistence wage should be 1,521 leva at least, so that a person can meet at least the minimum expenses, he calculated and repeated again that a 5% increase is small.
The pension system - where to?
The pension system reform was made 25-28 years ago, Dimitrov reminded and added that this cannot be changed. There will be no reform of the reform, he was categorical.
"If we are talking about improvement and improvement - yes".
The agreed increases in the length of service and the retirement age will end in 2038-2039, the unionist pointed out. He warned:
"We do not intend to comment on any other increase".
We have been saying for a long time that the system cannot be stabilized if there is no minimum increase in social security contributions, said Plamen Dimitrov. We are not talking about raising taxes, not contributions, he specified. According to him, there is no alternative to increasing contributions.
The 100 days of the government
The President of the Confederation of Bulgarian Trade Unions sees a desire for dialogue. According to him, however, there are many "white spots" in the dialogue and intentions that are not clear. According to him, the program is lacking in specifics. We are still in a period in which we trust each other, he noted.
"Many workers recognize May 1 as their holiday. Many struggles have taken place to get to this point. This is not some whim of the communist regime, so that we can easily equate it with the past", Plamen Dimitrov also commented and stated:
"In our country, the culture of protest on May 1 does not happen, perhaps because of the holidays. We have question marks in this direction, but this is for ourselves - do we want to demonstrate in our heads for our rights and defend them even more successfully or do we resign ourselves and go with the flow".