Law changes propose minimum daily unemployment benefit to increase to BGN 12

The minimum unemployment benefit to increase from BGN 9 to BGN 12 per day from October 1 for a period of 4 months. This is provided for by amendments to the law on state social security, which were voted by MPs at first reading on September 10.

The measure is expected to affect between 30,000 and 33,000 people. However, according to opposition calculations, the increase is insufficient and short-lived.

“The necessary funds are BGN 12 million for this measure. It is temporary because it is determined in view of the National Social Security Institute budget," explained Svetlana Angelova from GERB.

The second measure envisaged is to increase the period for receiving unemployment benefits from 4 to 7 months and it affects about 13,000 people.

"You are late, dear colleagues, the mass unemployment boom was in March. People should have received this minimum unemployment benefit en masse in September, but you are accepting it to be in October. The amount is also inadequate," said Nadya Klisurska of the opposition socialist party, BSP.

The opposition also propose the minimum benefit to go up to BGN 17 per day. The proposal will be tabled between the two readings.