The poverty line in this country will be raised to BGN 504 (EUR 257) next year, as the current level is 211 euros, a draft government decree discussed today at a meeting of the National Council for Tripartite Cooperation reads.

Minister of Social Affairs Lazar Lazarov pointed out that the 22% hike is significantly higher than the current level of inflationary processes. Deputy Minister of Social Affairs Nadia Klisurska pointed out that the new poverty line would also provide financial support for people with disabilities, who are more than 670,000 people.

At the meeting, the business approved the proposal, but the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB) insisted that the level should be adjusted according to real inflation and rise to 276 euros a month.