The Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB) has launched a series of protests demanding a minimum 10% increase in public sector wages in 2027. The first rally took place on Monday outside the Pencho Slaveykov Regional Library in Varna, with library employees taking part.
“The protests are starting in Varna with a warning action. We are taking to the streets for 10 minutes to demand a minimum 10% increase in public sector salaries in 2027, backed by the necessary funding in the state budget,” CITUB Vice President Todor Kapitanov said during the rally.
He said the unions were concerned about next year’s budget, noting that income policy was not currently being discussed.
Kapitanov added that CITUB also insists that any mergers of administrative structures affecting jobs and pay should be discussed in advance with employees at the institutions concerned. He said no functional analysis had been conducted to identify overlapping activities or areas where staff shortages exist.
“We want to see how the restructuring of administrations will improve the delivery of services, rather than simply result in a 10% cut in personnel costs,” he said.
According to CITUB, a genuine 10% increase in public sector wages would require just over EUR 732 million in the 2027 state budget. Kapitanov recalled that this year’s budget initially envisaged a freeze on incomes, but following trade union actions, wages were increased by 5%, although the measure did not cover all workers.
“With food and fuel prices rising, people’s purchasing power is declining. The requested increase will not improve families’ living standards but will merely help offset inflation,” he added.
Kapitanov said the starting salary for a young library employee was around EUR 700, an amount he described as insufficient to cover housing, heating, food and clothing costs.
“We hope there will be a hearing and that the authorities will make specific commitments,” he said.
CITUB’s protest campaign will continue in Shumen on Tuesday and in Ruse the following day. Employees in agriculture, education and healthcare, as well as those working in culture and communications, are also expected to join the actions.
CITUB Launches Protests, Demands 10% Public Sector Pay Rise in 2027 THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-10-12 10:47:20
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