site.btaPublic Transport Workers in Sofia to Stage Protest on Thursday

Public transport workers in Sofia are staging a new protest on Thursday, in front of Sofia Municipality building. The protest is scheduled from 8.30 am to 2 pm under the motto “Budget and Wage Increase Now!”, according to a statement from the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB).

The protest is organized by the Federation of Transport Trade Unions within CITUB and the Transport Workers’ Federation of the Podkrepa Labour Confederation. The action comes in response to the delayed adoption of Sofia’s municipal budget for 2025 and the repeated postponement of wage increases for urban transport workers.

“Despite funds being allocated by the state, the absence of an approved budget is stalling key decisions, threatening the normal operation of the sector, and fuelling growing discontent among employees,” the organizers said.

The protesters are demanding the immediate adoption of the budget and a BGN 300 wage increase for urban transport workers. Other key demands include improved working conditions and sustainable solutions to ensure the long-term stability of public transport companies in the capital.

Both federations are calling on municipal leaders and councillors to take responsibility for the people who keep the city moving every day.

The protest is scheduled to coincide with a scheduled meeting of the Sofia Municipal Council at 10 am on Thursday. In an effort to resolve the budget deadlock, Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev has invited representatives of all political parties in the council to a joint meeting on Monday.

Earlier this spring, workers held protests demanding higher pay, resulting in several days of disruption to surface public transport in May. The demonstrations were halted after the government allocated BGN 15 million to Sofia Municipality at the end of May to help resolve the crisis.

However, tensions reignited when Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev returned the proposed city budget and the 2025 financial framework for the transport sector on June 12. In his statement, Terziev cited a lack of transparency, legal compliance, and financial logic, saying he could not allow public funds to be spent "without control, logic, or in violation of the law."