The issue of labour shortages is of crucial importance to economic development. We have established a working group aimed at improving access for third-country nationals to the Bulgarian labour market and have identified measures and actions to accelerate and simplify the relevant procedures. This was stated by Nevena Lazarova, Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry, during the opening of a conference titled “Labour Shortages and Economic Growth – Are there solutions?” held in Plovdiv. The event was organised by the German-Bulgarian Chamber of Industry and Commerce (AHK Bulgarien).
Deputy Minister Lazarova emphasised that the Ministry of Economy and Industry is aware of the challenges businesses face in finding qualified workers and is working to deliver swift and effective solutions. According to her, the measures taken involve changes to administrative procedures and legislative amendments. “Strengthening the capacity of consular services, concluding intergovernmental agreements, increasing quotas for third-country workers as part of the overall workforce, and improving the functionality of the electronic platform for issuing work and residence permits for third-country nationals,” are among the discussed changes, Deputy Minister Lazarova highlighted.
During the conference, she also stressed the active support of the Ministry for the efforts of businesses to secure the necessary workforce and remain competitive. “At our initiative, the Economic and Social Council prepared an ‘Analysis of the Possibilities for Simplifying and Accelerating Procedures for Access to the Labour Market for Workers and Highly Qualified Personnel from Third Countries for the Needs of Bulgarian Business’,” said Deputy Minister Lazarova, explaining that the analysis will help identify key issues and potential solutions.
Deputy Minister Lazarova was firm in her position that the efforts undertaken by the Ministry of Economy and Industry, along with all stakeholders, will meet expectations on this highly significant issue.
The event was also attended by Tim Kurt, Chairman of AHK Bulgarien, H.E. Irene Plank, Ambassador of Germany to Bulgaria, Kostadin Dimitrov, Mayor of Plovdiv, as well as representatives from the business community and others.