Children’s right to education and adults’ right to access to the workplace are restricted.” This is stated in the position of the Union of Principals within the System of Public Education in Bulgaria on the occasion of the effective strike of employees in the capital’s public transport, which continues for a third day.

The document points out that thousands of students cannot go to school and thousands of teachers and non-pedagogical staff have difficulties getting to their workplaces.

“Matriculation exams are coming up, as well as the end of the school year. The future of thousands of children and families is at stake,” the position reads. The regional chair of the Sofia organization of the union, Danko Kalapish, appeals to drivers and leaders of the protest to respect the rights of those working in the education system: “No one has the right to steal the future of children.”

Meanwhile, the drivers from the “Zemlyane” garage have started a petition for official indefinite strike action, as they consider the proposals of Mayor Vasil Terziev unacceptable. If there is no increase of 205 euros or at least of 153 euros, many people will leave, they say. According to them, there will also be no surface public transport in Sofia during the weekend.

“I don’t see how I can give what the protesters want. It’s not a matter of stubbornness. We have invited the unions to a meeting on Monday. I told them to send me their calculations so that we can see if we have a reason to talk today,” Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev told Nova TV.

• Sofia will remain without bus, tram, and trolley transport also on Friday