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

BICA pushes for easier labour import and faster increase in retirement age

Photo: EPA/BGNES

The Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association (BICA) insists on reforming the pension system and accelerating the rate of increase of the retirement age for men and women, as well as easing the administrative procedures for importing labour from third countries. The employers' recommendation is in connection with the forthcoming presentation of Bulgaria's draft budget for 2024.

Labour shortages for industry are the main deterrent to accelerated GDP growth, as is the lack of skilled workers. Bulgaria continues to rank last in the EU in terms of participation in lifelong learning activities involving vocational qualifications, with an EU average of 11.3% and a national average of only 2%. Those with at least basic skills in digital technologies are only 31%, compared to 54% in the EU, the association said.



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

Christine Lagarde highlights the advantages of Euro adoption for Bulgaria

With the introduction of the euro on January 1, Bulgaria will benefit from the stability, liquidity and all the advantages of the common currency, European Central Bank  President Christine Lagarde said in an interview with public service..

published on 10/20/25 10:37 AM
Tomislav Donchev and Mila Nenova, Executive Director of Invest Bulgaria Agency, at the presentation of the map.

Ministry of Innovation and Growth presents Bulgaria’s first interactive investment map

The Ministry of Innovation and Growth has presented the country’s first interactive investment map . The platform aims to provide Bulgarian and foreign investors with useful and up-to-date information in one place, making it easier for them to make..

published on 10/17/25 10:37 AM

Bulgargaz proposes 8% increase in natural gas price for November

The Bulgarian state-owed natural gas supplier Bulgargaz has proposed that the price of natural gas for November increases by around 8% to nearly 66 BGN per megawatt-hour, excluding fees and taxes, reported BNR's journalist Yuliana Kornazheva. The..

published on 10/16/25 5:18 PM