Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

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

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!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

The Bulgarian National Bank has published clarifications on how the single currency will be written

In its “Questions and Answers” section on the introduction of the euro, the Bulgarian National Bank has published a clarification on how the single currency should be denoted and written in accordance with EU regulations. The name of the..

published on 11/14/25 10:01 AM

Bulgaria's government approves 2026 draft budget

The government approved the draft Law on the 2026  State Budget, as well as the Updated Medium-Term Budget Forecast for the 2026–2028 period. In connection with the introduction of the euro on January 1, 2026, all figures have been prepared in..

published on 11/13/25 3:35 PM

BNB Governor: Banks in Bulgaria are ready for the euro

Citizens should remain calm about the introduction of the euro in Bulgaria from January 1, 2026, as the Bulgarian National Bank and commercial banks are ready for all processes related to the currency conversion and distribution of euro banknotes. This..

published on 11/4/25 2:28 PM