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

How smart micro-installations can help Bulgarian households save on electricity bills

Bulgaria has favorable climatic conditions for producing electricity from the su n, even in the transitional seasons of spring and autumn. One of the cities with the best conditions for using photovoltaic systems is Dupnitsa. The southwestern..

published on 2/27/25 2:32 PM

The average annual salary in Bulgaria increases by 13.9%

In 2024, the average gross annual salary in Bulgaria is 27,881 BGN (EUR 14,255), according to preliminary data from the National Statistical Institute. Compared to 2023, this marks an increase of 13.9% , with the public sector seeing an increase of..

published on 2/26/25 3:40 PM

Bulgarian National Bank explains what will change with the adoption of the euro

The Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) has posted, to its website, the answers to important questions connected with the adoption of the euro and the country’s entry into the Eurozone. The official BGN to Euro exchange rate is fixed, with the Lev..

published on 2/25/25 3:18 PM