Bulgaria - The social impact of seasonal migration

situation in Bulgaria are probably the main reasons for current labour migration out of
the country. From that point of view, every policy directed at coping with the problem
of unemployment and raising the standard of living could be seen as integration policy.
Here are listed some of the programmes developed by the Bulgarian government for
coping with that problem, with a special focus on young people and Roma:
• National programme "From social aid to securing employment". The goal is to secure
employment and social integration for unemployed people able to work but receive
monthly social payments, through opening of working positions for activities of public
benefit for the municipality and the state. In 2003, the programme had 217 614 144 BGN
for employment of 100 000 people, acquisition of professional qualification of 5 000
persons, and training in basic literacy of 1 000 people.
• Stimulation of employers to open work places for unemployed former prisoners (article
55 of the Employment Promotion Act). The goal is to secure employment for jobless
former prisoners. In 2003, employment will be offered to 110 people and professional
qualification to 20 persons, through a total of 220 000 BGN.
• Stimulation of employers to open work places for unemployed single parents (foster
parents) and/or mothers (foster mothers) with children up to 3 years old (article 53 of
the Employment Promotion Act). The goal is to secure employment for jobless single
parents (foster parents) and/or mothers (foster mothers) with children under 3 years
of age. In 2003, employment will be offered to 500 persons with the means of 1 056 000
BGN.
• National programme for social integration and professional realisation of youth from the
orphanages. Its goal is a rapid, well-targeted and effective professional realisation and
integration into society of young people from the orphanages.
• Stimulation of employers to hire unemployed persons below 29 years of age (art. 36,
p. 1). In 2003, employment will be secured for 5 342 persons through 4 163 529 BGN.
• Stimulation of employers to hire unemployed persons below 29 years of age with
impaired working abilities as well as youth from orphanages who had graduated
from school (art. 36, p. 2). In 2003, employment will be offered to 700 persons using
1 360 000 BGN.
• Stimulation of employers to open work places for training and professional qualification
and/or internship for unemployed up to 29 years old (article 41 of the Employment
Promotion Act). In 2003, employment will be offered to 300 persons, professional
qualification to 200 people, through a total of 381 600 BGN.
• Social Integration Project - PHARE 2001. The goal is to facilitate the social and
economic integration of Roma, other ethnic minorities, differently abled people and
other groups in marginal positions on the labour market. The project also fosters the
development of measures for training, employment and entrepreneurship with the
aim to improve the literacy levels and competence of the target groups. In 2003, the
project will offer professional qualification to 4 500 people, with the means of 5 161 435
BGN.
The annual Action Plan for Employment comprises different other measures for
integration of socially marginalised groups, and their accomplishment can be traced on
the web-page of the ministry of labour and social policy.
77