site.btaTrade Union Hosts International Conference on Social Dialogue

Social dialogue is crucial for ensuring effective protection of workers during economic crises and other global challenges, according to the shared view of representatives from trade unions, employers' organizations and Bulgarian institutions, who participated in an international conference on Monday organized by the Podkrepa Confederation of Labour.

At the opening of the event, greetings were delivered by Zornitsa Rusinova, Chair of the Economic and Social Council (ESC); Smilen Valov, Executive Director of the Employment Agency; and Ivelin Zhelyazkov, Director of Tripartite Cooperation at the Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association (BICA).

“We are now firmly in a period of uncertainty, unpredictability, conflict and war – including trade wars – alongside growing economic and social inequalities,” said Veselin Mitov, confederal secretary of Podkrepa. He warned of an erosion of democratic norms, citing data showing that 75% of the global population now lives under autocratic regimes. Mitov also pointed to environmental concerns, noting that ordinary working people are often the first to suffer from these developments.

He expressed concern that global challenges are prompting changes in European policies. “The worst news came around ten days ago,” Mitov said, “when it was announced that the next financial framework of the European Commission is likely to eliminate the European Social Fund+.” He added that if this happens, European trade unions will respond accordingly.

Podkrepa President Dimitar Manolov echoed the concern, saying: “The European Commission is on a slippery slope, making moves such as cutting the European Social Fund+ while at the same time increasing defence spending.” According to him, the complex and dynamic nature of today’s challenges requires wise decisions, knowledge, and skills. Social dialogue, he emphasized, can play a decisive role. “Balancing political interests with those of employers and workers is essential to finding the best solutions,” Manolov added.

Smilen Valov, Executive Director of the Employment Agency, confirmed the institutions’ readiness to engage in dialogue with employers and trade unions to better support workers. “For every worker, protecting their labour and dignity is crucial,” he said. The main issue today, he noted, is not unemployment, but rather the shortage of skilled labour and the ongoing demographic crisis. “Through various employment programmes and training, we are striving to make the workforce more adaptable to modern working conditions,” he said. In this context, social dialogue is not a formality, but a genuine tool for achieving meaningful solutions. “Only through this dialogue can we meet the challenges of the global economy and offer sustainable solutions to preserve existing jobs and create new ones,” Vylov added.

Zornitsa Rusinova, Chair of the Economic and Social Council, said that Bulgaria has proven to have strong traditions and effective practices in social dialogue. At the same time, she highlighted the clear distinction between social dialogue and the ESC’s consultative role as a platform representing the organized opinions of employers, trade unions, and civil organizations. Rusinova shared that during her time as Minister of Labour and Social Policy, she also placed high importance on strong social dialogue, as it enables the swift resolution of people’s issues. She noted that the ESC has conducted an in-depth analysis of inequalities, identifying common ground between business, trade unions, and civic organizations – a basis for potential reforms to make Bulgaria more competitive and increase incomes.

Another ESC analysis focused on regional labour market disparities, including income and education gaps. According to her, these imbalances can be addressed effectively at the local level through active local social dialogue. Seasonal employment is also among the key topics the ESC is currently monitoring.

A strong social dialogue is the foundation for collective bargaining in industrial relations and a prerequisite for a sustainable economy, stable employment, and adequate incomes, said Ivelin Zhelyazkov, Director of Tripartite Cooperation at BICA. He stressed the importance of social dialogue, particularly the role of trade unions and employers in negotiating mechanisms for setting the minimum wage.