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Bulgaria's second-largest trade union "Podkrepa" opposes draft Budget 2026

The reason is "the lack of policies and reforms to address major challenges in the healthcare system"

Photo: Confederation of Labour "Podkrepa"

The Confederation of Labor "Podkrepa" does not support the government's proposed state budget for 2026, the union announced. As reasons, the second most important trade union in the country points out "the lack of policies and reforms to address major challenges in the healthcare system, such as the constantly growing number of medical institutions, the lack of sufficiently qualified medical personnel, and low wages." 
The leaders of Podkrepa union believe that a 2% increase in social security contributions will reduce family income and insists on the introduction of proportional income taxation for high salaries. 

Progressive taxation of personal income should exempt the lowest incomes from tax. 

The trade union is against freezing the minimum daily unemployment benefit at 9 euros. 

The confederation is also not satisfied with the social measures set to address the demographic crisis and childcare.


Edited by Ivo Ivanov
English publication: R. Petkova


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