site.btaEnergy Sector Transformation Already Put Over 2,000 People Out of Work, CITUB President Says

The transformation in the energy sector has already put more than 2,000 people out of work, and that is from the Maritsa coal basin alone - over 1,000 of them quietly, said Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Bulgaria (CITUB) President Plamen Dimitrov while presenting the results of a project mapping those indirectly affected by the carbon transition in Pernik, Kyustendil and Stara Zagora.

He noted that at the beginning of this year there were around 13,500 people directly employed in coal mining and related energy sectors. “With the collapse of ContourGlobal, 360 jobs were lost directly, and at least as many indirectly,” Dimitrov commented. He stressed the need for urgent action - a national energy strategy and a national just transition plan.

Dimitrov added that on March 19 the European Council will discuss key measures, including a declaration by the industry ministers of 13 countries - among them Germany, France, Croatia, Czechia, Slovakia and Slovenia - which are calling for a review of the emissions trading system, with three of them even seeking its temporary suspension. "Where is Bulgaria - are we joining them?" he asked in the presence of caretaker Energy Minister Traicho Traikov.

"We insist on joining," the CITUB President stressed. "Today we will issue a joint declaration - the two trade unions and the four employers' organizations - calling on the state not to miss this very important moment and to state clearly that we are among those who want a review of the carbon emissions system, because it is killing us - it is undermining our competitiveness, both in energy and industry," Dimitrov added.