Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Trade unions in Bulgaria expect a jump in gray economy due to Covid-19

Photo: Archive

The gray economy in Bulgaria in 2019 accounted for 21% of the country's GDP, data from the National Statistical Institute reveals. It amounts to 11.5 billion euros. This money is outside the social and health care system. In the conditions of a Covid-19 pandemic, this share is expected to grow, said the leader of the CITUB trade union Plamen Dimitrov on the occasion of the Week of Action in the European Campaign for Declared Labour.

Bulgaria's state budget loses 200m euros a year from undeclared work. Dimitrov noted that it also exists in the light economy. Employees have employment contracts and social security payments, but work extra hours that are not paid by the employer. "Whoever works in the gray sector, cuts his or her own rights," the unions warn, BGNES reports.



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

CNN ranks Shopska Salad among the best in the world

Bulgarian Shopska Salad has earned a place among the 24 best salads in the world according to a new ranking published by CNN, BGNES reports. The fresh and colorful dish, beloved throughout Southeast Europe, took its rightful place alongside..

published on 6/19/25 5:27 PM

Zhecho Stankov: Bulgaria has a key role in energy connectivity in the region

In a few weeks, another ship with pipes for the Vertical Gas Corridor will arrive at the port of Burgas, announced Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov at the Burgas 2025 Connectivity Forum . The event brought together diplomats, ministers and leading..

published on 6/19/25 4:56 PM

New medical equipment manufacturing center opened in Plovdiv

A new medical equipment manufacturing center of the Czech company BTL Industries has opened in Plovdiv. The event was attended by President Rumen Radev, who emphasized that "the excellent relations between Bulgaria and the Czech Republic at the highest..

published on 6/19/25 2:58 PM