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Bulgarian language teaching remains a problem for Ukrainian refugees

Photo: BGNES

There are about 87,000 Ukrainian refugees in Bulgaria. Nearly 26,000 were accommodated in hotels and state facilities under the government programme that will continue until 31 August, indicate data of the portal "Bulgaria for Ukraine". It is difficult to say where the rest of the people are accommodated, Iva Partsaleva, Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Bulgaria, said for the BNR-Varna.

The teaching of Bulgarian language, which relies on the enthusiasm of the NGO sector, is a stumbling block for the integration of refugees in Bulgaria. There is no institution such as the Goethe Institute or the French Institute in Bulgaria that gives Bulgarian language courses and issues certificates of proficiency.

Around 15% of Ukrainian refugees already have employment contracts, but around 60% of them are working in the hotel and restaurant industry, which is seasonal employment. Access to regulated professions remains extremely difficult.




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