Shteryo Nozharov from BIA and Vanya Grigorova from LC "Podkrepa" comment for Nova TV
The minimum wage will increase from next year as per the request of the Ministry of Social Affairs. At the moment, it is BGN 650, and how much it will rise is still being discussed. The trade unions suggested BGN 764. By its current amount, hundreds of thousands of workers receive just over BGN 500 per month.
"For the last five years, from October to March, I have supported the staff at my own expense. During the summer season, we made up for the loss and then things repeated. With an increase in the minimum wage, we will have to cut costs, " employer Krassimir Kamenov stated.
The economic advisor of Podkrepa Labor Confederation, Vanya Grigorova, and Shteryo Nozharov from the BIA commented on the topic.
According to Grigorova, there should be a rise in the minimum wage. However, Nozharov is of the opposite opinion.
"If we are trying to reach the average European levels, it means that there must be a sharp increase in the minimum wage, which means BGN 1,000. But, unfortunately, this cannot happen at the moment," commented Grigorova.
"Energy costs are very high. In addition, business is limited due to the pandemic. Therefore, if we increase the minimum wage, the production costs will exceed the revenues, which will lead to higher unemployment, " opposed Nozharov.
