Have you heard of a company called „Great Britain 2014?“ It offers agricultural work on the island for good remuneration but whoever believed these promises received neither work no payment. This company is one of those that exploit the trust of unemployed Bulgarians who want to go and work abroad.
Just during the first three months of 2014 signals against similar companies are over 50. In 2013 they were over 230, but experts say figures this year will be higher because of lifting the labor restrictions for Bulgarians in all EU countries. Bulgarian citizens do not require a work permit anymore and this also helps companies that offer fictitious employment in Europe, says Daniela Kadiyska, director of the International Labor Migration Office in the Labor Inspectorate. But how do firms deceive candidates? For example, a Bulgarian company, even if it is registered as an employment agency, may not have a real contract with a foreign employer. This way it cannot provide any jobs to candidates. Another trick is when companies and workers sign agreement for consultations and in such cases the Labor Inspectorate cannot interfere.
"When it comes to a company registered as an employment agency then the Labor Inspectorate can check the activities of the company and impose sanctions if necessary", Daniela Kadiyska explains. "In a number of cases when the company is not a registered employment agency but is involved in frauds, we cannot even find the location of that company because they are hiding. They connect with people who want to work abroad via the Internet and communicate with them only through e-mail. Such companies often do not have an office and in these cases, the Labor Inspectorate calls the police and signals the prosecution over the frauds.”
Experts say one should check the employment agency very carefully before paying them any money. Do not trust ads on the Internet and do not make payments requested by e-mail. Honest companies do not require prepayment of services! Before leaving the country, be sure to get acquainted with the labor agreement, which must be signed by the employer with whom the company has relationships. These agreements must be in Bulgarian too.
After lifting labor restrictions for Bulgarians in all other EU countries, the trend of foreign companies sending Bulgarian workers abroad emerged. These companies manage to sign agreements for services as subcontractors. They have relations with employers from Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands, most often in the sphere of construction. In such cases the minimum payment must be 1200-1300 euro a month but the workers often receive not more than 500-600 euro. It is clear who benefits from this. Sending people on a business trip is one of the frauds that gains popularity, Ms. Kadiyska says and adds:
The Labor Inspectorate has also requested assistance from the Polish Labor Inspectorate over the case.
English version: Alexander Markov
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