A minimum of about 870 people can be covered by the "I Choose Bulgaria" measure, which will be attracted back to Bulgaria from abroad. Let's not forget that with a large part of them their entire families will probably return - partners, children. This was said by Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Policy Natalia Efremova in an interview with BTA. We expect 1,170 people to benefit from the measures to provide work and support for life in a settlement with under 50,000 inhabitants, she also said. The measure is funded under the "Human Resources Development" Program (HRDP) of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy (MLSP), with applications starting in September.
With "I Choose Bulgaria" "We have tried to cover a large part of the process and organization surrounding the relocation of a person - from the transportation of household goods, through settling in, finding a job, we have even thought about the adaptation in our country of family members who are not Bulgarian citizens, but want to find a job here," explained Efremova. She said that there are certain requirements that those wishing to return to our country must meet. In order to benefit from European support, candidates must meet one of two requirements: either to have lived abroad for 12 of the last 18 months, or to have recently completed their education abroad. In both cases, this should be proven with documents at the application stage, explained the deputy minister.
According to Efremova, the needs of the labor market have also been studied, and the effect of the measure may be to provide the necessary personnel for business in our country. Our goal is to provide a workforce with appropriate and diverse job characteristics for the Bulgarian labor market, she pointed out.
The full interview follows:
Ms. Efremova, how does the project “I Choose Bulgaria“ differ from other initiatives to attract compatriots from abroad back to their homeland?
Up until now, the MLSP, in partnership with the Employment Agency and the Bulgarian representations abroad, have mainly organized Career Forums and Information Days abroad. We provide them with all the information about the steps that every Bulgarian who has decided to return to their homeland should go through. During these personal meetings, we see people's desire to apply what they have learned abroad in Bulgaria. However, we also see hesitation, as well as everyday questions about the implementation of this decision. That is why we prepared the measure “I Choose Bulgaria“ – as a response to their hesitations. This is the first targeted measure to support our compatriots who are currently living abroad but would like to return to Bulgaria.
With “I Choose Bulgaria“ we have tried to cover a large part of the process and organization surrounding the relocation of a person – from the transportation of household goods, through settling in, finding a job, we have even thought about the adaptation in our country of family members who are not Bulgarian citizens, but want to find a job here. In fact, these questions turn out to be key when deciding where to settle down to live for a family. Therefore, this time the procedure will be implemented by the Employment Agency, in partnership with the State Agency for Bulgarians Abroad, which is called upon to provide answers to all accompanying issues related to the socio-economic inclusion of people, transfer of rights and registration in public systems such as healthcare, social and educational services.
In general, the support will include access to labor market services, which are traditionally provided by the Employment Agency. We will also provide assistance with moving household goods and rent for the first year if they settle in a place where they do not own property. We have thought about including family members who are foreign citizens in Bulgarian language courses in order to make it easier for them to find a job. Of course, our ultimate goal is to attract people with suitable work characteristics to Bulgaria. Therefore, we will stimulate them to realize themselves professionally in our labor market. After the first six months, everyone will receive a one-time incentive of 30% of six salaries for the respective sector in which they work, and after the 12th month - 50% of six salaries for the respective sector.
What are the requirements for candidates and how would the selection take place?
“I choose Bulgaria“ is a measure of the HRD Programme, co-financed by the European Union, which will be implemented in two components. The first is aimed at attracting people from abroad to Bulgaria who have suitable work characteristics. In order to benefit from European support, candidates must meet one of two requirements: either to have lived abroad for 12 of the last 18 months, or to have recently completed their education abroad. In both cases, this must be proven with documents at the application stage. Component 2 is aimed at persons residing in Bulgaria and wishing to move to a smaller settlement with less than 50 thousand inhabitants in our country.
Anyone wishing to receive support will apply to the Employment Agency. For our compatriots abroad, this will be by filling out online applications on the department's website, where information with the necessary documents that each candidate must submit will be published. Then, upon returning to Bulgaria, the participant in the measure must visit the nearest Labor Office in person to verify their desire to participate in the project. A mandatory condition for receiving support is maintaining employment in Bulgaria for at least a period of 6 months, which will be checked through the NRA.
Is the measure being implemented because of the shortage of personnel, can this contribute to addressing the demographic crisis?
Our goal is to provide a workforce with appropriate and diverse labor characteristics for the Bulgarian labor market. We also rely on people who have received their education abroad. We also rely on young families who have gained some professional experience abroad and want to apply what they have learned in Bulgaria. We also rely on less qualified but experienced people, because the Bulgarian labor market needs all kinds of personnel.
The focus of the measure is also on smaller settlements in Bulgaria - with under 50 thousand inhabitants. We know that there are many young families for whom this is a preferred option, especially for raising their children in a smaller town. That is why we are trying to help them take this step to leave the big city and choose a smaller settlement. Attracting a workforce to small settlements is of utmost importance for the development of regions and supporting the sustainability of local communities. In many cases, these areas are the most affected by the demographic crisis, aging population and migration of young people to large cities or abroad, and the effects develop in an avalanche-like manner and are mutually reinforcing.
The lack of a workforce with certain skills inevitably leads to a decline in investments, the closure of existing enterprises, a decline in economic activity and, accordingly, to the depopulation of entire settlements. Attracting labor, on the other hand, can also give a boost to the local economy. When people have the opportunity to work and live in small settlements, this leads to increased consumption, support for local businesses and better use of the available infrastructure.
Addressing a package of measures related to the demographic characteristics of the population is a top priority in the work of the team of Social Minister Borislav Gutsanov. Attracting compatriots from abroad, as well as stimulating internal mobility to small settlements is a step in support of the trend we are observing – more people to return to Bulgaria than to go abroad.
Let's say what will be the amount of financial support for each participant and what can the funds be used for?
In “I Choose Bulgaria“ we talk about a “support package“. Some of the measures have no financial implications, but they can be key to professional realization in the homeland. For example, all services for access to the labor market, which are provided by the Employment Agency, can facilitate preparation for the application process and finding a job. Key support for maintaining employment in Bulgaria are also one-time incentives after the first six months and after the first year. Under Component 1, aimed at people living abroad, the package includes labor market access services provided by the Employment Agency, assistance with household relocation, and a rental supplement for a period of up to 12 months if the applicant starts work in a locality where he/she does not own his/her own home.
Up to BGN 5,000 for moving household goods within the European Union and candidate countries (including Kosovo) will be covered against a supporting document, and up to BGN 10,000 for other non-EU countries. The cost of a rental supplement is BGN 406 per month for a period of up to one year. Family members who are not Bulgarian citizens but will be looking for work in Bulgaria may be included in Bulgarian language training.
A main incentive for sustainable employment is the opportunity for each participant to receive a lump sum equal to 30% of 6 average salaries for the relevant sector after the first 6 months of work in Bulgaria. After the 12th month, the lump sum incentive is 50% of 6 average salaries for the relevant sector. Incentives for transportation to and from the workplace in Bulgaria for a period of 12 months are also eligible, but only in cases where the participant does not work remotely.
Under Component 2, people living in Bulgaria and wanting to start work in a small settlement with less than 50 thousand inhabitants will receive identical support - services for access to the labor market, assistance for moving household goods in the amount of up to 909 BGN, a rental supplement for a period of up to 12 months if they start work in a settlement where they do not own their own home, incentives for transportation if they work outside the settlement where they live. The employer in the small settlement will also receive support through subsidized employment. If the job that the participant starts is not subsidized employment, he is also entitled to a one-time incentive in the amount of 30% of 6 average salaries for the relevant sector after the first six months, and after the 12th month - 50% of the amount of 6 average salaries.
Can the MLSP guarantee the targeted use of the funds? Will there be a mechanism for tracking participants after the support has been provided?
Candidates will have to submit documents to certify that they have resided or worked abroad in 12 of the last 18 months. Newly graduated students must prove this with the relevant document from a university, school or college. After returning to Bulgaria, they must visit the nearest Labor Office in person to verify their desire to be included in the project and the information filled in the online application. Since our goal is for every participant who has received support under “I Choose Bulgaria“ to start working in the country for at least a period of six months, we will monitor whether this is the case by checking with the National Revenue Agency.
To receive support for moving household items, for example, we will require a document justifying the expenses that proves the participant's expenses. Here I would like to clarify that the participant will be reimbursed the actual amount of the expense for moving household items, and not the “ceiling” set in the measure.
How many people are expected to benefit, what are your estimates?
The minimum number of people who can be covered by the measure is about 870 people, attracted back to Bulgaria from abroad. Let's not forget that a large part of them will probably bring their entire families back with them - partners, children. We expect 1,170 people to benefit from the measures to provide work and support for life in a settlement with under 50,000 inhabitants.
„I choose Bulgaria“ is a pilot project with which we test the readiness and needs of those wishing to live and realize themselves in their homeland. In case of increased interest, we are ready to include a larger number of participants. We have information and are clearly aware that many people want to return home, and therefore we are testing ways to create a long-term policy in this direction.
Have you already started discussions about cooperation with employers to hire these people?
Employers are looking for a partnership with us in connection with this initiative. Their expectations are that those wishing to join have a variety of qualifications and skills. Cooperation with employers is a key part of the work of the Employment Agency, as it determines the provision of employment for job seekers.
How will you promote this measure so that the information reaches the most people?
We are planning a large-scale information campaign that will cover various communication channels and activities - from face-to-face and online events abroad, through promoting the measure in the media in Bulgaria and abroad, in embassies and consulates abroad, to publications on social networks, the EURES network, etc.
How will you comment on opinions that policies should be implemented to support and retain young Bulgarians and families in Bulgaria before there is financial support for those who have chosen to settle abroad?
I don't think it's right to divide Bulgarians at home and abroad. That's why we work very actively to support young Bulgarians, young families in Bulgaria. We have many measures under the Human Development Programme aimed at supporting children and families, in order to help ensure better conditions for early childhood development in a family environment. We also have a serious resource aimed at young people - – “Youth Employment+“, “Youth Practices“, so that they can gain practical experience and internships in a real work environment. Young people under 29 are a vulnerable group on the labor market and securing employment for them is a priority.