site.btaOne-Day Employment Contracts in Agriculture Simplified under New Rules

Thanks to changes in the procedure for seasonal agricultural employment contracts, one-day employment contracts are now much easier and quicker to conclude, the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy said in a press release on Friday. The amendments, which enter into force this week, remove the requirements to include the employee’s ID card and address details and to specify the start and end times of the working day, and lift the restriction that employees may only work on processing and harvesting a single crop.

Earlier on Friday, Labour Minister Borislav Gutsanov and representatives of the agricultural sector presented the new relief measures, which are expected to facilitate the contract signing processes, especially during the autumn harvest season, ensuring workers feel more secure.

“After years of unresolved difficulties, agricultural producers will finally experience real support from the state. Issues that have long burdened them will no longer stand in their way. We believe that cooperation between government and business, rather than heavy-handed approaches, is the key to formalizing the economy,” Gutsanov said.

Minister Gutsanov emphasized the significance of this reform given the widespread use of one-day contracts in farming: “In 2024, a total of 230,000 such contracts were signed. Despite a poor harvest so far this year, 135,000 contracts have already been registered.” The sector primarily relies on Bulgarian workers, as only 1,500 work permits for third-country nationals have been issued this year by the Employment Agency.

The Minister also stressed that oversight will continue vigorously. “Labor inspections remain active. Simplification does not mean less control. So far this year, 2,381 inspections have been conducted, revealing around 8,000 violations. Cases without contracts have decreased by one-third compared to last year, proving that dialogue between government and business reduces violations,” he said.

Representatives from the National Branch Chamber of Fruit and Vegetables, the Bulgarian National Association on Essential Oils, Perfumery and Cosmetics, the Bulgarian National Tobacco Growers' Association, and the Bulgarian Association of Raspberry Producers expressed gratitude to the Minister and his team for the swift expert decision to ease contract procedures. They agree that these changes will help formalize the sector and bring shadow practices to light.