site.btaConstruction Chamber Chief Talks Outflow of Skilled Bulgarian Workers, Aspirations to Bring Them Back

Some 50,000 qualified Bulgarian construction workers have left the country in recent years in search of livelihood, Bulgarian Construction Chamber (BCC) Management Board Chair Iliyan Terziev said in an interview with the Bulgarian News Agency ahead of the professional holiday of Bulgarian builders (October 26).

"The difficulties faced by the construction sector in recent years have led to a significant drop in activity. Production outside the residential segment has shrunk, while the reported nominal growth is due to higher prices rather than an increase in output. All of this has led to a major outflow of skilled workers whom we have taken great pains to train over many years. Since we could not guarantee them stable employment, they sought opportunities mainly in Europe. We are talking about some 50,000 qualified professionals abroad, and we hope at least some of them will return," Terziev said.

He said that BCC's recently launched platform Work in Bulgaria will bridge the gap between Bulgarians living abroad and the domestic construction sector, which now offers very decent wages.

Terziev noted that the industry is currently experiencing an upswing, evidenced by a record number of companies registered in the professional register of builders maintained by the Chamber. For the first time since BCC was founded in 2006, there are more than 8,000 registered companies - currently 8,083, he said. The Chamber’s ambition is to expand the platform into a kind of 'cadre bank' for workers and construction firms, allowing those who wish to return to Bulgaria to find employment in the sector.

The BCC Management Board Chair said that most interest in returning to Bulgaria is expected from Bulgarians living in EU Member States. "Wages are rising at all levels - from on-site workers to engineers. Living costs here are lower, meaning disposable income is comparable to European levels. The introduction of the euro on January 1 will also be a stabilizing factor. And most importantly, people will be back home with their families," he added.

The construction industry currently employs some 250,000 people, with demand for workers across all levels - labourers, craftsmen, technicians, and engineers.

Speaking of the share of workers from third countries, Terziev said that the Chamber does not have precise figures. He added that companies are hiring staff from outside the EU, mainly from former Soviet republics. Workers from these countries are disciplined and, since they speak Russian, they have no language barrier with older site managers, he added. The Work in Bulgaria platform also includes a segment designed to facilitate this process. BCC has established partnerships with licensed recruitment agencies that operate in non-EU countries such as Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and India, among others, he said.

Regarding the volume of construction activities expected next year, Terziev said that with the renewed stability in this country, businesses anticipate greater predictability in public and municipal projects - not only for 2026, but several years ahead. In this regard, he listed water and sewerage and road infrastructure projects, EU-funded projects, the municipal development programme and the new national building renovation programme. "The 2026 state budget is due to be adopted. We hope that it will include a strong investment programme," Terziev added.

As for outstanding payments owed by the State to the sector, he said the Chamber does not collect such data but acknowledged problems with various contracting authorities. Terziev noted that the industry needs proper planning and regular payments to keep work running smoothly.