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

Bulgarian National Bank

Bulgarian National Bank places bonds with new short-term and medium-term domestic debt

On January 27th, government securities for 150 million euros (300 million leva) will be offered on the domestic market , the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) announced. The bonds will have a maturity of 7 years and an annual interest rate of 3.25%. On..

published on 1/22/25 11:05 AM

Bulgaria will request a new report from the European Commission on its readiness to join the euro

Bulgaria is making the necessary progress towards adopting the euro, according to representatives of the European institutions whom Finance Minister Temenuzhka Petkova met with. This progress will allow Bulgaria to request extraordinary convergence..

published on 1/21/25 8:46 AM

Employers present their views on improving the business environment in Bulgaria

Financial and tax stability has been shaken in recent years so it is good that a government has been formed, said Vasil Velev, chairman of the Bulgarian Association of Industrial Capital, at a joint press conference of employers.  "Romania was..

published on 1/20/25 1:54 PM