The problem of the lack of labor is not only a problem of Bulgaria and the European Union, it is a problem of a global scale, added Mr. Halachev during the National Forum “Labor from third countries in support of Bulgarian business”, organized in Sofia – Hotel Balkan” from OBK.
According to the chairman of the association, urgent measures should be taken to facilitate the entry of workers from third countries such as Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, India, Vietnam, Tajikistan into our country.
At the moment, the procedure is cumbersome, waiting for months for classes at the World Visa Center, and in our consular services they work with old equipment and with a greatly reduced staff.
“Business cannot wait – we already know about dozens of cases in which, due to delays and cumbersome procedures, our members, usually manufacturers, hoteliers, restaurateurs, are forced to close. In Bulgaria, the need for welders and nurses is most acuteVeselin Halachev also said.
He specified that Uzbekistan is ready to send its personnel to our country, as well as to train them in their centers, as long as the Bulgarian authorities support and facilitate the process. There is also a huge lack of labor force in agriculture, logistics, transport, construction.
The idea of greater efficiency in the processing of documents was also supported by the Deputy Minister of Economy Nikolay Pavlov, who reminded that his department had initiated a serious analysis of the problem and that a digital platform, a blue card, has been operating since the beginning of April, which will digitize the processes for recruitment of foreign workers in our country. In the process of attracting highly qualified personnel, the commercial attachés abroad, who number 60, may also be involved.
The subject of the labor force is underestimated, it is being worked on piecemeal, and since 2017 the problems have deepened, said the deputy from GERB Denitsa Sacheva. According to her, the subject of the labor market should be leading in social policy. She is convinced that forums like this one – where legislators, administration and business meet – are extremely useful.
The state must intervene and determine which are the priority sectors. MP Vanina Vecina also called for unification of the institutions in the name of a common cause.
According to BSP MP Dragomir Stoynev, there is no consistent policy on the issue of the workforce. Her absence was also felt in the administration.
The discussion was also attended by representatives of the Employment Agency, the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, the Migration Directorate of the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, teachers, experts, and business representatives.
The National Business Forum was also attended by a representative of the Ministry of Labor and Poverty Alleviation in Uzbekistan, who shared that his country is ready to send labor to our country.
