site.btaGovernment Cancels Meeting of National Tripartite Cooperation Council After Employer Organizations Refuse to Attend

Deputy Prime Minister and Chair of the National Council for Tripartite Cooperation, Tomislav Donchev, cancelled the Council’s extraordinary meeting scheduled for 10 a.m. on Thursday, the Cabinet press centre said on Wednesday evening. The decision follows the refusal of the Association of Bulgarian Employers' Organizations to participate in the meeting. 

The scheduled extraordinary meeting's agenda was intended to discuss the 2026 draft budgets of the National Health Insurance Fund, the Public Social Insurance Fund, and the draft State Budget.

“The Government has always adhered to the principle that social dialogue is necessary for all important national decisions. Sound governance requires consultation with all social partners, but the repeated refusal of some to participate in the Council meeting provides a clear indication of their attitude towards the budget,” the statement said.

The Government said that it will approve the 2026 State Budget bills as agreed with its supporting parties.

Earlier in November, employer organizations boycotted a Council meeting, which was consequently unable to take place. The employers voiced their opposition to the parameters of the draft State Budget.