"We Continue the Change" will submit to the National Assembly a draft resolution to increase from June 1, 2025 the minimum basic salary of nurses and midwives to 90% of the average salary in the country and of young doctors without a specialty to 125%. This was announced today by the party leaders and PP deputies at a meeting with representatives of the Bulgarian Association of Healthcare Professionals (BAHPGP).
The project provides for:
Obligation of the Council of Ministers within 30 days to develop specific measures to increase the salaries of medical specialists - young doctors, nurses, midwives, etc. from 1.06.2025 through financing from the state budget and the NHIF budget. The measures include increasing the minimum salaries of medical specialists from secondary budget spending units at the Ministry of Health, as well as those working in kindergartens and nurseries. It is proposed that the minimum wage be:
90% of the average salary for nurses and midwives.
125% of the average salary for young doctors without a specialty.
The Council of Ministers to implement the measures adopted by decision of the 50th National Assembly of 07.08.2024, at the proposal of “Continuing the Change“, to provide the healthcare system with nurses and midwives with an emphasis on increasing the salaries of medical specialists through transfers from the state budget.
Within 60 days, the Council of Ministers to prepare and present a medium-term two-year and long-term - until 2030. strategy for a long-term sustainable increase in the salaries of medical specialists.
The motives for this project are dictated by the ongoing protests of medical specialists throughout the country, the lack of decent salaries and the difficult working conditions in the sector. According to official data, the average gross salary of nurses and midwives is significantly below the average for the country, despite the increased budget of the NHIF and the increase in the cost of clinical pathways.
The trade union organization BASPZG stated that the proposal of “We Continue the Change“ is a good first step towards solving the systemic problems with the salaries and working conditions of medical specialists, but a lasting and long-term state policy in this area is needed to solve the shortage of personnel in healthcare. They announced that they remain ready to protest.