Our door is always open for frank dialogue. We attach enormous importance to people and to working conditions. This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Investments and Industry Alexander Poulev during a working meeting with Plamen Dimitrov, President of the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB), and representatives of the confederation’s sectoral organisations.
The Deputy Prime Minister stressed that the government is working to restructure the economy, attract high-value-added investment and create high-quality jobs.
According to him, reforms must take account of the interests of working people and must proceed hand in hand with the protection of employment. “None of these reforms must, under any circumstances, disadvantage people who are currently working in enterprises,” Poulev stated categorically.
He noted that, despite the less-than-optimal state of public finances, the state has secured significant resources to support energy-intensive enterprises so that they can preserve their competitiveness and jobs. “We have provided around EUR 200 million in the 2026 budget for energy-intensive industries in the country. This was one of the main demands from both the sectoral and the employers’ organisations,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
The meeting also emphasised the need for state policy to support existing industry while at the same time creating conditions for new investment and production. “There will be incentive measures, there will be support from the state, only and exclusively where jobs are created and taxes are paid in the country, so that these funds can be used to expand the social base,” he added.
The talks also covered the National Industrial Strategy, prepared by the Ministry of Economy, Investments and Industry, and the role of the trade unions in developing it. CITUB representatives expressed satisfaction with the analytical report on the Strategy recently presented by the Ministry. The report marks the start of the next stage – the preparation of the strategic document that will set out the vision, priorities and measures for the development of Bulgarian industry through to 2035.
They also thanked the Deputy Prime Minister for the resumption of active social dialogue with the trade union organisation at Lukoil following the appointment of the new commercial manager, Evgeni Simeonov, and expressed appreciation for the steps taken to secure the necessary derogation allowing the refinery to operate normally.
CITUB also welcomed the decision to lift the ban on diesel fuel exports after nine months of restrictions, which is currently under consideration in the National Assembly and which, according to the trade unions, is important for the stability and competitiveness of the enterprise.
Among the points highlighted in the discussion was the need to resume the work of the Ministry’s sectoral councils for tripartite cooperation. These cover key sectors such as the chemical industry, metallurgy, mechanical engineering and light industry. The aim is to work jointly with employers’ and trade union organisations to form common positions and solutions for the development of Bulgarian industry.
The discussion also covered the loss of industrial jobs in recent years, the need for mechanisms to provide early monitoring of risks to employment, the retraining of workers, and the adaptation of employment during the restructuring of enterprises and changes in production.