The Confederation of Labour "Podkrepa" has expressed strong disapproval of the proposed amendments to Bulgaria's Labour Code by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy. The trade union is particularly alarmed by the Ministry's suggestion to tie the increase in the minimum wage solely to inflation. In response, the Confederation issued a statement emphasizing its firm stance against the bill, stating that if the Council of Ministers proceeds with its current form, they will take all necessary legal measures to safeguard the interests of workers.
According to the trade union's critique, the Ministry's draft amendments have raised concerns about the potential exacerbation of poverty among a significant portion of the workforce. By proposing a mechanism that restricts minimum wage growth to inflation rates, the Ministry risks subjecting a quarter of workers to financial hardship, as highlighted by the Confederation of Labour "Podkrepa". Moreover, the trade union points out that Bulgaria currently holds the lowest minimum wage in the European Union, a situation that contributes to challenges in combating poverty and social exclusion effectively.