“On the issue of the fair transition, employers and trade unions are unanimous. This convergence is not accidental. It reflects a shared understanding that the challenges in just transition regions are systemic, long-term, and cannot be resolved through isolated administrative measures. When both sides of industry speak with one voice, it signals that the issues at stake affect the very foundations of Bulgaria’s economic and social stability.”
This was stated by Silvia Todorova, Chief Director of “Entrepreneurship” at BIA, on behalf of the Association of the Organizations of Bulgarian Employers, addressing participants at an international seminar "Fair Transition,” organized by the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES), and the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB).
The event brought together trade union representatives from Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, North Macedonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The topic of the just transition is gaining increasing importance in the context of the economic and climate challenges facing our society. In this regard, it is essential that national and European institutions take appropriate measures and develop effective policies to ensure a sustainable transition to a green economy.
According to Silvia Todorova, from the employers’ perspective, the main problem is the lack of a consistent strategic framework for the transition. For more than a decade, Bulgaria has lacked a clear, nationally adopted vision for the future of its energy system and the industrial base associated with it.
“This lack of strategic direction has direct consequences: Businesses cannot plan investments without clarity on the future of energy prices, grid stability, and the availability of domestic production; Workers cannot plan their careers without knowing which industries will remain, which will transform, and which will disappear; Municipalities cannot design development strategies without understanding the economic foundations that will sustain their regions. The result is uncertainty, and it is the most costly and least productive environment for both employers and employees,” Silvia Todorova said, emphasizing that the situation is further complicated by the absence of an adopted national energy strategy.
Here is what Silvia Todorova also said:
I represent the Bulgarian Industrial Association, which currently chairs the Association of Bulgarian Employers. On this topic, employers and trade unions are fully aligned. This convergence is not accidental. It reflects a shared understanding that the challenges in the Just Transition regions are systemic, long‑term, and cannot be addressed through isolated administrative measures. When both sides of industry speak with one voice, it signals that the issues at stake affect the foundations of Bulgaria’s economic and social stability.
From the perspective of employers, the core problem is the absence of a coherent strategic framework for the transition. For more than a decade, Bulgaria has lacked a clear, nationally adopted vision for the future of its energy system and the industrial base linked to it. As a result, the Just Transition process has been approached in a fragmented, reactive manner. Instead of a structured sequence strategy, operational plan, investment roadmap, workforce planning, we have seen a patchwork of documents that do not form a consistent whole.
This lack of strategic direction has direct consequences. Businesses cannot plan investments without clarity on the future of energy prices, grid stability, and the availability of domestic generation. Workers cannot plan their careers without knowing which industries will remain, which will transform, and which will phase out. Municipalities cannot design development strategies without understanding the economic anchors that will sustain their regions. The result is uncertainty, and uncertainty is the most expensive and least productive environment for both employers and employees.
The situation is further complicated by the absence of an adopted national energy strategy. A Just Transition cannot be separated from the broader question of Bulgaria’s electricity mix, the role of baseload generation, and the timeline for integrating new technologies. Without a strategic document that defines the direction of the energy system, it is impossible to design credible transition pathways for coal regions, energy‑intensive industries, or the labour force that depends on them.
Moreover, the assumption that Bulgaria can rely heavily on electricity imports is not realistic. The geopolitical environment has fundamentally changed. Regional markets are volatile, neighbouring countries are prioritising their own security of supply, and the EU is entering a period of accelerated electrification, which will increase demand and reduce export capacity across the continent. In such a context, over‑reliance on imports exposes Bulgaria to unacceptable risks: price shocks, supply shortages, and loss of industrial competitiveness.
There is also a broader structural issue. Bulgaria’s energy‑intensive industries – metallurgy, chemicals, cement, glass, paper, and others – depend on predictable, affordable, and secure electricity. These sectors are major employers and exporters. If the country cannot guarantee stable domestic generation, these industries will face competitive disadvantages that cannot be compensated by administrative measures or temporary subsidies. A transition that undermines industrial competitiveness is not a just transition; it is a deindustrialisation scenario.
Another critical dimension is workforce development. The regions concerned by the Just Transition are not only energy hubs; they are also centres of technical expertise, vocational education, and industrial know‑how. Without a clear plan for reskilling, upskilling, and redeployment, Bulgaria risks losing a generation of skilled workers. This is not only a social issue: it is an economic one. Skilled labour is a strategic asset, and once lost, it is extremely difficult to rebuild.
Finally, the credibility of the transition depends on governance. The process requires coordination between ministries, municipalities, businesses, trade unions, and educational institutions. It requires transparent timelines, measurable milestones, and accountability. Without these elements, the transition risks becoming a formal exercise rather than a real transformation.
For employers, the conclusion is clear: Bulgaria needs a strategic, integrated approach that links the Just Transition with a long‑term energy strategy, industrial policy, and workforce development. Only then can we ensure that the transition is not merely administratively compliant, but economically viable, socially sustainable, and aligned with the country’s long‑term interests.
