“We need to do something to lighten the shadow economy. This is a task for all stakeholders - the state, all ministries, unions and employers. There is a huge reserve there for the tax system and for state social security“, said the Minister of Labor and Social Policy Borislav Gutsanov during a meeting with the national representative organizations of workers and employees and employers. It is part of the monthly dialogue that Minister Gutsanov started in this format.
The main topics of discussion were the progress in the work of the working group, which is seeking consensus on the formula for determining the minimum wage, the stabilization of the pension system, as well as the import of workers from third countries. Minister Gutsanov met with support for the need to lighten the economy and improve revenue collection. Both employers' and trade union organizations supported the thesis of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy (MLSP) that nothing requires major changes in the pension system and the three-pillar model.
“I want every opinion to be taken into account and to make sure that there is a real improvement in the pension system“, the minister also said. He added that this will help specialists in their work on the roadmap assigned by the parliament for stabilizing the pension system. Minister Gutsanov reiterated his thesis that the retirement age should not be increased.
The meeting was attended by the entire political cabinet at the MLSP - deputy ministers Ivan Krastev, Gergana Aleksova-Velikova, Natalia Efremova and Rumyana Petkova, as well as the head of the cabinet Zornitsa Vasileva. “It is extremely important for our team to do something truly reasonable and balanced. I am ready to have a conversation with each of you at any time“, added Minister Gutsanov.
Regarding the topic of the minimum wage, information on the activities of the working group, which is seeking consensus among the social partners for the transposition of the EC directive on adequate minimum wages (MWW) in the EU, was presented by Deputy Minister Natalia Efremova. “I think we have made serious progress“, she said and added that whatever formula is adopted, there is no way in the future that the MWW will be lower than the current one. Work on the topic was resumed by order of Minister Gutsanov in order to find a solution on this important topic.
“I would like to close the page soon with determining a fair formula for the minimum wage“, said Minister Gutsanov.