Expert: 20 vital foods can be bought with the MRZ in Romania 15 times, and in Bulgaria 8.2 times

Violeta Ivanova added that the working poor in the country are 65%.

At least BGN 2,616 is needed per month for a family with one child. 4.3% is the cost increase. The subject was commented on by the deputy director of the Institute for Social and Trade Union Studies at the KNSB Violeta Ivanova in “Hello, Bulgaria”.

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She explained that currently about 1 million people cannot reach a living wage, and last year there were 1.7 million people. The expert added that in 2023 this will be 67% of the working population, and this year it will be 65%.

The data show that BGN 113 is needed for 20 vital goods, Ivanova pointed out. “In Spain, these 20 goods with one minimum wage can be bought 26 times, in Romania 15 times, and in Bulgaria 8.2 times,” she added.

Ivanova said that according to the directive for an adequate minimum wage, which must be transposed by November 15 in the country, the minimum wage must be equal to the living wage, which is BGN 1,616 per person. “Then we won’t be talking about the working poor,” the expert said.

Ivanova explained that in 2023, the prices of food products increased by 21%. There is currently a hold on prices, she added. “When we say that the small consumer basket has grown by 4%, this is against the background of already increased prices, and therefore it cannot be felt that inflation has been overcome,” added the expert.

Watch the whole conversation in the video.