Employees of Several State Agencies Protest Over 2026 State Budget Bill

Filip Pavlov

Protest of Employment Agency employees in Yambol, November 26, 2025 (BTA Photo/Mira Bezus)

Sofia,

26.11.2025 16:19

(BTA)

Employees of several state agencies held protests across Bulgaria Wednesday demanding that a 20% salary increase and improved working conditions be provided for in the 2026 State Budget Bill.

In Sofia, staff of the Employment Agency, the General Labour Inspectorate Executive Agency and the Social Assistance Agency sought a pay rise that matches the heavier workload, rising inflation and the steadily growing duties in the state administration. They spoke out against public pressure on employees and denigration because workers in the three agencies perform key functions for society every day.

Their protest was supported by healthcare employees, who insisted on a clear and precise mechanism for distributing EUR 260 million earmarked for salaries for hospital workers in the 2026 State Budget Bill, as well as a salary increase for employees in the sector, including for doctors and nurses working in nurseries and kindergartens.

Employees of the agriculture and forestry sector emphasized that salaries of around BGN 1,500 to BGN 1,700 for employees in the Agriculture and Food Ministry and the Environment and Water Ministry are very low, given the skilled work they do. Additional funds in the amount of EUR 65 million must be secured for new individual salaries for the 2026 budget, they noted.

Employees of the Labour Inspectorate Directorate and the Employment Agency also protested amongst others in Varna, Ruse, Yambol, Shumen, Pleven and Haskovo, pointing out that a 5% pay rise in the 2026 State Budget Bill for state administration employees is frivolous and offensive. They insisted on a raise of about 20% in the human resources fund for 2026, including an increase in the funds for the material base and business trips. They also pointed out that with the amendment to the Civil Servant Act in 2011, the right to receive higher pay for academic degrees and titles was abolished.

In Stara Zagora, employees of the Regional Environment and Water Inspectorate demanded the inclusion of a seniority class in their salaries. The protesters demanded decent pay, noting that they have many responsibilities, including working with the fire department, police and various other important institutions.

Employees of the Social Assistance Directorate in Veliko Tarnovo and Ruse pointed out that gross salaries in the sector vary between BGN 1,500 and 2,000, which does not correspond to the responsibility and workload of their daily work, including additional working hours. According to them, the starting salary in the sector is the minimum for the country, and even management positions only reach around BGN 2,000, given the highly qualified work they do. The average age of personnel in the system is about 50 years old, and more and more young specialists are giving up the profession due to the high workload and low pay, they stressed.

The protesting employees stated that they are ready for effective strike action if they are not heard by the government. In that regard, the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB) fired back at employers over “political protest” accusations. "It is not politics, but a democratic right for workers to defend their income," CITUB said on Wednesday. The statement was made in connection with the position of the Confederation of Employers and Industrialists in Bulgaria (CEIBG), who had insinuated that the protests aim to achieve political goals.

/NF/