Balgarianovinite.com During a press conference held on Tuesday, the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB) presented the results of a survey to study the consequences of the climate transition in Pernik, Kyustendil and Stara Zagora.
CITUB Vice President Ognyan Atanasov reported that in 2025, the trade union had mapped the 12,000 people who are directly employed in coal mining or coal-fired electricity production. The study concluded that the sector is suffering from an aging workforce and limited adaptability in the labour market. Atanasov warned that for every person directly employed in coal mining and coal-fired electricity production who loses their job, at least three others will suffer.
CITUB President Plamen Dimitrov reported that the transformation in the energy sector has already put more than 2,000 people out of work, and that is from the Maritsa coal basin alone. He noted that at the start of 2026, there were around 13,500 people directly employed in coal mining and related energy sectors. He added: “With the collapse of ContourGlobal, 360 jobs were lost directly, and at least as many indirectly.” He stressed the need for urgent action – a national energy strategy and a national just transition plan.
Dimitrov reported that on March 19, the European Council will discuss key measures, including a declaration by the industry ministers of 13 EU Member States, which are calling for a review of the emissions trading system. He insisted that Bulgaria should demand a review of the carbon emissions system, because in its current form, it is undermining Bulgaria’s ability to compete.
At the press conference, caretaker Energy Minister Traicho Traikov stated that a reform of relations in the energy sector is a must and will take place. Commenting on what the authorities will do for the sector and the region, he said that the process is linked to large financial resources, but “this bill must be paid in order to lay the foundation for something bigger that has a future”.
Traikov reported that he and caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gurov discussed the calculations for implementing this transition. He added: “All costs, according to my calculations, amount to EUR 2.859 billion by 2030, with the aim being that there should be no one who is a loser in this process, none of the people who work there.”
The Energy Minister said that the people entering the labour market will undoubtedly find jobs, if not identical ones, then similar ones. He reported that he recently spoke with an investor who shared that they will initially need 500 employees and another 500 in 2027. Trade Union Shares Concerns over Loss of Jobs Due to Climate Transition 2026 THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-03-17 19:05:21 Latest news World news Country news Most important news latest news most important latest of the day Justice Petar Nizamov Feathers Petar Nizamov- Feathers Justice bg iustitia.bg iustitia iusticia usticia investigation Burgas Bulgaria news news of the last hour news of the day news of today Bulgaria news The news from Bulgaria blitz news top news most important most commented latest news Boyko Borisov news weather coronavirus news news weather facebook youtube facebook instagram news today news of the last minutes news today today news news bg news leading news hot news bg news site for news all news news bg news of the last hour latest latest news bg news of today news today news today news of the last hour latest news today news bg news news 24 hours news vesti bg novini news world bird bg bivol bg bivol trud bg novini latest news today novinite bg news hello bulgaria political party coat of arms delyan peevski scandalous Bulgarian National Television Free Europe Television scandal exclusive live tv live right now tv tv online tv program bg live now tv news online tv online live court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas district court Burgas appellate court Burgas prosecutor Burgas prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev Prosecutor Geshev Tsatsarov Ministry of Internal Affairs Burgas ODMR Burgas ODPR Burgas police Burgas district police Burgas prosecutor Tsatsarov SGS cases Varna court chairman of the SGS court decisions on civil cases decisions on cases Plovdiv court decision of the court decisions cases Varna court criminal cases district district court decisions work in the court SGS chairman of the SGS judges Sofia court post judges Plovdiv court Plovdiv judges Plovdiv Supreme Court Inspectorate Supreme Court Supreme Judicial Council lawyer lawyer criminal cases lawyer civil cases lawyer marriage cases lawyer administrative criminal law criminal process civil law civil process administrative law constitutional law