Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2015, published 105th ILC session (2016)

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Bulgaria (Ratification: 2008)

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Employment trends and implementation of an active employment policy. The Government indicates in its report that the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy has been implementing a project since 2012 with the aim to improve the quality and efficiency of the active policy on the labour market, based on a comprehensive evaluation of its effect. The evaluation results will be discussed with the social partners and other stakeholders, which will then outline the priority directions for policy development. The Government indicates that the Employment Strategy 2013–20, adopted by the Council of Ministers in October 2013, is a key document laying down the tasks and directing the efforts of all stakeholders on the labour market. The strategy aims at reducing unemployment through job creation, the improvement of the quality and scope of employment services, and the activation of unemployed persons through measures such as their involvement in education and training programmes. The Committee further notes that, over the 2010–13 period, regional differences in employment and unemployment have continued to vary broadly. The long-term trend of municipalities and regions with highest unemployment levels continue to be concentrated primarily in the northern regions of Bulgaria. To overcome the regional imbalances, the Employment Agency implements training and employment programmes at the regional and sectoral level, such as the “Closer to work” scheme under the Operational Programme Human Resources Development (OP HRD). Over the 2011–13 period, 5,627 persons have benefited from available funds under the “Closer to work” scheme under OP HRD for transportation to and from the workplace and for conducting of training of newly employed persons. The Committee notes that, according to EUROSTAT, unemployment was measured at 10.4 per cent in March 2015. The Committee requests the Government to provide an evaluation of the effectiveness of the employment policies and measures implemented for promoting full and productive employment and those aimed specifically at vulnerable groups. The Committee also invites the Government to continue to include information on the measures taken to address higher levels of unemployment in northern regions of the country. Please also continue to provide information on the impact of measures adopted with a view of supporting the development of SMEs for employment creation.

Undeclared work. In reply to previous comments, the Government indicates that there is no legal definition of undeclared labour in Bulgarian legislation. The term is most often associated with work without an employment contract, work of minors without permission, activity of enterprises providing temporary jobs without registration at the Employment Agency, conducting of intermediary activities without registration at the Employment Agency or work of foreigners not complying with the work licensing regime. The Government states that an increase in the number of alerts and requests under the aforementioned issues was observed in 2013, thus indicating that the issues of this nature exist and that people are starting to defend their rights, which in turn is encouraging and could help in combating undeclared labour. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the impact of the measures taken to address the issue of undeclared work, and on their impact on the labour market.

Youth employment. The Government indicates that, over the 2010–13 period, the group of persons up to 24 and up to 29 years of age continues to be a main target group to which the active employment and training policy implemented by the Employment Agency is oriented. It adds that high unemployment among young people is one of the most acute social problems arising out of the economic crisis, with lasting adverse consequences upon society as a whole and with serious personal consequences in view of the long-term negative effects resulting from the lack of the necessary knowledge, skills and work experience. For the purpose of joining the efforts of all stakeholders for the reduction of youth unemployment, the Committee notes that, among the various measures adopted, the National Initiative “Work for Young People in Bulgaria” 2012–13 mobilized the efforts of the state institutions, the social partners and local authorities towards the implementation of programmes, measures and activities for the promotion of youth employment. The Committee further notes that unemployment of young people was measured at 23.8 per cent in March 2015, compared to 25.7 per cent in March 2014. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the impact of measures designed to increase opportunities for young people to find lasting employment, in particular those with low levels of education.

The Roma minority. The Government indicates that one of the most vulnerable groups in the labour market is unemployed Roma people. Over the 2010–13 period, a total of 48,758 unemployed Roma people benefited from the active policy of the Employment Agency, out of which 35,896 unemployed Roma people were included in training and employment under employment programmes and measures and 12,862 unemployed Roma people were included in training and employment schemes under the OP HRD. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the measures taken to encourage and support labour market participation of the Roma population.

Other vulnerable workers. The Committee notes the detailed information provided on employment measures directed at persons with disabilities, low-skilled persons and the long-term unemployed. It notes in this regard that the share of long-term unemployed persons among those over 50 years of age remains relatively high (40.4 per cent in 2013). The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the impact of measures aimed at increasing the employment rate of older workers, persons with disabilities, low-skilled persons and the long-term unemployed.

Education and training. The Committee notes the information provided on various education and training programmes directed at vulnerable groups of workers, including the long-term unemployed. In reply to previous comments, the Government indicates that, for the purpose of matching workers’ knowledge, qualifications and skills to the requirements of the labour market, training was carried out in February 2014 on forecasting labour supply and demand. One of the objectives of that training was building the capacity of the labour market institutions for the formulation and implementation of policies based on long-term and short-term forecasts of the development of the labour market in Bulgaria. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the measures taken in the area of education and training policies and on their relation to prospective employment opportunities, as well as the involvement of the social partners in this process.

Article 3. Consultations with the social partners. The Government indicates that consultations with the social partners included discussions within the National Employment Promotion Council on matters relating to the Employment Strategy 2013–20, the National Plan for the Implementation of the European Youth Guarantee and national employment action plans. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the outcome of the consultations held with the representatives of employers’ and workers’ organizations on the formulation and implementation of employment measures. It also requests the Government to indicate to what extent consultations have been held with the representatives of the persons affected by the measures taken, such as young people, the Roma minority and other vulnerable workers.