site.btaBulgarian Retail Association Calls for Urgent Changes in Rules for Hiring Third-Country Workers

The Bulgarian Retail Association (BRA) Monday expressed concern over the difficulties in hiring workers from third countries and called for urgent changes to the administrative procedures. In a statement on the matter, they say that businesses are facing "an artificially created administrative blockage", and instead of addressing the labour shortage in the sector, the government is creating uncertainty for employers.

BRA was established in early 2009 and its members include some of the largest Bulgarian and international retail chains operating in Bulgaria through independently owned or leased stores. The association represents a wide range of sectors, including fashion, footwear, sporting goods, perfumery and mobile telecommunications.

The association notes that procedures for hiring foreign workers take between six and nine months, which they consider unacceptable given the fast-paced nature of the retail sector. According to BRA, the lack of coordination between institutions, the requirement to submit documents in person, and the absence of feedback lead to significant delays and financial losses for businesses.

The statement also says that employers face difficulties in securing visas for workers from third countries, including India, where documents for workers from Nepal are processed. The association warns that this creates a risk of corrupt practices and further prolongs the procedures.

The BRA notes that following Bulgaria's accession to the Schengen Area, the country risks "becoming a transit zone" for foreign workers if it does not offer faster and more transparent hiring rules.

The association is calling for an increase or elimination of quotas on the hiring of workers from third countries in sectors with proven labour shortages, for the full digitization of procedures, and for the creation of a unified information system to track applications.

Other demands include the introduction of stricter oversight of administrative processing deadlines, the acceptance of electronic apostilles, and the opening of a Bulgarian consulate in Nepal.