Expert Asserts Bulgaria Needs Up to 300,000 Foreign Workers

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Bulgaria requires up to 300,000 foreign workers, according to an HR specialist.
2. The number of foreign workers in Bulgaria is increasing, with an expected 35,000 to 40,000 workers to be employed this year.
3. Bulgaria has identified 11 shortage occupations across various sectors, including transportation, healthcare, and food service.

The Bulgarian labor market faces a deficit of between 250,000 and 300,000 workers, as asserted by human resources expert Georgi Parvanov. Of these, 70,000 are needed as seasonal workers.

Parvanov, an executive committee member of the Confederation of Employment, suggests that Bulgaria should set quotas for hiring workers from third countries. He stresses the importance of maintaining a diverse foreign workforce and recommends that Bulgaria fully utilize its local labor resources before seeking workers from abroad.

Bulgaria to Employ Up to 40,000 Foreign Workers This Year

With a three-year visa program for manufacturing companies across various sectors, it is anticipated that 35,000 to 40,000 foreign workers will be employed this year to meet demand.

“Our embassies abroad are not prepared for this influx of foreign workers. We will probably import around 35,000 to 40,000 people this year. Last year, there were much fewer, and five to six years ago, we imported 5,000 to 6,000 people per year,” said Georgi Parvanov from the Confederation of Employment.

Parvanov notes that workers from Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan integrate easily into Bulgarian society, while there is also significant interest from workers in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan.

Salaries for Third-Country Workers Range from €500 to €700

Foreign workers from third countries typically earn between €500 and €700 per month. “These people come from countries where the average salary is $200 to $300 gross. Their goal is to send €100 to €200 to their families,” said Parvanov, emphasizing that third-country nationals must receive equal wages and benefits as Bulgarian workers by law.

11 Occupations Facing Shortages in Bulgaria

A recent report by the European Labour Authority identified 11 shortage occupations in the Bulgarian labor market:

1. Heavy truck and lorry drivers
2. Sewing machine operators
3. Welders and flame cutters
4. Gardeners, horticultural, and nursery growers
5. Waiters
6. Chefs
7. Accountants
8. Secondary education teachers
9. Nursing professionals
10. Specialist medical practitioners
11. Electrical engineers

Conversely, surplus professions in Bulgaria include vegetable and related preservers, building frame and related trades workers, shop sales assistants, social work associate professionals, administrative and executive secretaries, and psychologists.