site.btaMajority of Employed in Bobov Dol Mines Are Over 50 Years Old, Says Trade Unions President

The majority of those employed in the Bobov Dol mines are over 50 years old, and about 13% of them are working pensioners, Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Bulgaria (CITUB) President Plamen Dimitrov told BTA in Kyustendil on Thursday.

He emphasized that this shows little readiness for mobility, qualification and retraining, and that the situation with those employed in the mines creates little opportunity for any change if the production of the Bobov Dol Thermal Power Plant (TPP) is reduced.

"In the mines, the concern is more significant because, unlike thermal power plants (TPPs), which are planning to switch fuel sources or invest in solar installations, there are few alternative options available. A potential shift in the TPP's fuel source could result in job losses in the mine," Dimitrov pointed out.

He pointed out that the main issues involve the age structure of employees in the TPP and the mines. He also mentioned that BGN 215 million are allocated to the region through the territorial just transition plans, which are intended to support the development of quality alternative employment. People in this area expect job opportunities to be available locally and to align with their skill sets, Dimitrov stressed.

He stated that new industries can be made possible with these funds. "We are talking about several hundred jobs that are in danger of being lost, mainly in the mines," Dimitrov said, adding that in the survey conducted, those currently employed in this sector stated expectations for work with similar qualifications, in the same region and with a salary around the current one and above. Salaries are quite low in Kyustendil Region, which is second-to-last in the country, Dimitrov pointed out, and said that even if active people are close to retirement age, there are employment opportunities because the country is aging as a whole.

The number of working pensioners has grown by 100,000 nationwide over the past two years, Dimitrov noted. He added that while a single meeting like today's cannot fully transform the situation, it is important to take advantage of the opportunities available.