The Trade Union of Bulgarian Medical Specialists has declared readiness for protest actions and an effective strike, according to a statement published on Facebook addressed to the Prime Minister, the Ministers of Finance and Health, the Ombudsman and all parliamentary groups.
The healthcare professionals are ready to take drastic action due to the severe and long-neglected crisis in the healthcare system, caused by chronic underfunding and the devaluation of their work. They demand that their salaries be increased to at least 150% of the national average wage, in line with their professional qualifications and responsibilities.
“It is unacceptable for the state to allocate funds for salary increases only in certain sectors – such as education and the Ministry of Interior – while systematically ignoring healthcare”, the statement reads. The medical specialists point out that since the government managed to find 15 million BGN (EUR 7.5 million) for updating the salaries of public transport workers, “this clearly shows that when there is political will – there are also financial resources.”
Psychiatrists threaten a mass resignation over the crisis in mental health care
Published and translated by Kostadin Atanasov
Photo: archive
A survey by the Myara sociology agency, reported by BTA, found that 38% of Bulgarians cannot or will not vacation this summer. This was an answer given mostly by older people from small towns. Study reveals one fifth of Bulgarians live in poverty..
In an open letter to the President of the National Assembly and the chairpersons of the parliamentary groups, 12 NGOs call for the immediate election of a national Ombudsman, BNR’s Silvia Velikova reports. They write that the position of Ombudsman..
Rose picking season is starting this year with serious problems because of the prolonged cold spell, BGNES reports. The people in this line of business say they expect an extremely poor harvest, which gives rise to major financial concerns as the..
Students of medicine, young doctors and medical specialists from six towns – Sofia, Plovdiv, Pleven, Burgas, Varna and Stara Zagora – are staging..
Household consumers will remain on the regulated electricity market for an unlimited period, said Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov at a briefing at the..
Rose picking season is starting this year with serious problems because of the prolonged cold spell, BGNES reports. The people in this line of..
sunshine, cloud, rain and thunder
Partly cloudy, chance of rain
Cloudy
Occasional showers
Overcast, rain
Thunderstorms 
Mostly Cloudy