HOW TO ENHANCE SOCIAL DIALOGUE WAS THE HIGHLIGHT IN THE BULGARIAN DELEGATION’S VISIT TO SOUTH KOREA

A Bulgarian delegation of five, including social partners representatives, visited South Korea on an invitation of KOILAF (Korea International Labour Foundation) from 10-16 July 2010. The delegation included Ms Elka Dimitrova, Director of Labour Market Policy Directorate at the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, Mr. Ivan Kokalov and Mr. Plamen Dimitrov, Vice-Presidents of CITUB (Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria), Mr. Kamen Kolev, Vice-President of BIA, and Mr. Zhechko Dimitrov, Executive Director of Capital Market SFB Ltd. (solely owned by BIA).

The Korean invitation came on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary from the establishment of the Korean-Bulgarian diplomatic relations. Possibilities for cooperation in the sphere of labour and social dialogue were the focal point in the visit.

Korea emphasized that despite the current insufficient trade between the countries, Bulgaria has potential and is important for the Korean investors, especially those in the IT sphere.  

During its stay in the Asian country, the Bulgarian delegation visited local employers' organizations and trade unions, the Korean Ministry of Labour, Economic and Social Development, the Human Resources Development Office and other organizations and institutions, exchanging viewpoints and experience with regard to labour market and social dialogue.  

The Bulgarian delegation introduced the hosts to the present-day condition of the social dialogue in Bulgaria. It was highlighted that due to our EU membership our country has been actively transplanting EU labour standards, including ones within the industrial relations sphere.