Text size

BICA pushes for easier labour import and faster increase in retirement age

published on 10/10/23 4:39 PM

Photo: EPA/BGNES

The Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association (BICA) insists on reforming the pension system and accelerating the rate of increase of the retirement age for men and women, as well as easing the administrative procedures for importing labour from third countries. The employers' recommendation is in connection with the forthcoming presentation of Bulgaria's draft budget for 2024.

Labour shortages for industry are the main deterrent to accelerated GDP growth, as is the lack of skilled workers. Bulgaria continues to rank last in the EU in terms of participation in lifelong learning activities involving vocational qualifications, with an EU average of 11.3% and a national average of only 2%. Those with at least basic skills in digital technologies are only 31%, compared to 54% in the EU, the association said.

Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!

Radio Bulgaria Economy BICA budget 2024 pension system reforms The Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association

More from category

Bulgaria ranks second in the EU for annual economic growth

In the second quarter of 2025, Bulgaria recorded the second-highest GDP annual growth in the European Union with a rise of 3.4% compared to the same period last year, according to Eurostat data. Compared to the previous quarter of 2025, Bulgaria..

published on 9/6/25 4:09 PM

Budget 2025 proves unworkable – the reasons, and what lies ahead

Bulgaria’s state budget for 2025 does not add up. “The genie is out of the bottle – the state has never spent at such a pace,” warn financial experts. With only a few months left in the year, and despite the strenuous efforts of institutions such as the..

published on 9/4/25 12:59 PM

The deal with Botaş ‘decapitalises’ state-owned supplier Bulgartransgaz, Bulgaria’s energy minister said

Bulgaria’s state gas supplier Bulgartransgaz has been “decapitalised” by a contract with Turkish company Botaş, Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov warned on Thursday, saying the deal could also threaten gas supplies to local district heating companies...

published on 9/3/25 5:13 PM

WEATHER

Pick city: Sofía

Partly Cloudy
Min: 10 | Max: 29

BULGARIA IN PICTURES

Which world-famous Bulgarian artist designed QSL cards for Radio Bulgaria?

Bulgaria ranks second in the EU for annual economic growth

In the second quarter of 2025, Bulgaria recorded the second-highest GDP annual growth in the European Union with a rise of 3.4% compared to the same..

published on 9/6/25 4:09 PM

Share

BICA pushes for easier labour import and faster increase in retirement age

More from category

Bulgaria ranks second in the EU for annual economic growth

Budget 2025 proves unworkable – the reasons, and what lies ahead

The deal with Botaş ‘decapitalises’ state-owned supplier Bulgartransgaz, Bulgaria’s energy minister said

Bulgaria ranks second in the EU for annual economic growth