site.btaNational Statistical Institute Employees Hold Protests across Bulgaria, Call for 20% Salary Increase

Employees of the National Statistical Institute (NSI) held a protest in front of the central administration building on Thursday, demanding a 20% increase in salaries. The demonstration was organized by the Administrative Employees’ Union within the Podkrepa Confederation of Labour with similar protests planned in other state administrations. Similar protests were also held in other major towns. 

The trade union stated that the protests are a response to the neglect of issues facing the civil service, insufficient pay, and increasing pressure and discrimination against employees.

The salaries for NSI employees are considered humiliating given the work they perform, according to  the NSI chief expert and union representative Nadya Sergieva, who has worked at NSI for 17 years.

Net pay for chief specialists is just over BGN 800, senior expert Anelia Varbanova said. According to her, net salaries are around BGN 1,300 for junior experts and BGN 1,600 for senior experts. She also noted that the public perceives civil servants as “spongers.” Bonuses received by NSI employees on a quarterly basis range between BGN 200 and BGN 300.