On Monday, public transport drivers from three cities in the country will block junctions in the capital, bTV reported. They are demanding a salary increase.
With 40 years of experience as a driver, Naicho Naydenov is already expecting his retirement, but new people are not coming, he says.
“The holidays for the month that are set are 10. Of these 10 holidays, I will use five holidays. Due to the lack of personnel, drivers. Our unit is missing 100 and more drivers“, shares Naicho.
According to the unions, low pay is among the reasons for the outflow of personnel. The basic salary of drivers in Sofia is 2,105 leva.
The Confederation of Bulgarian Trade Unions (CITUB) is demanding a 15% average increase for drivers in the country. They point out that in the current budget, the increase for those in the capital is about 5 percent, and for those in Ruse and Varna - none.
A state subsidy increase of 29 million leva is needed for public transport in Sofia, 6.5 million leva for Varna, 700 thousand leva for Ruse, and 4.5 million leva for the “Automobile Administration“.
Almost 55 million leva more has been provided in this year's budget for passenger transport, the Ministry of Finance indicates. The total estimated funds are over 522 million.
Public transport employees from Sofia, Ruse and Varna will block the intersections at the “Macedonia“ Square, the “Vasil Levski“ Stadium and Orlov Most.
The protesters at the intersection of “Dragan Tsankov“ Blvd. and “Evlogi and Hristo Georgievi“ Blvd. will stop traffic with a tire barricade.
In order to be heard, they will also forge a “ladder to power“, which will be carried in front of the Ministry of Finance building. If the doors of the institution are closed, the protesters will use the ladder. They will also weave long ropes to help themselves.
A “Pyramid of Burnt Hopes“ will also be built at the intersection, which will be lit and then taken to the institutions.
As part of the planned actions, a partial blockade of the “Vasil Levski Stadium“ metro station is also expected.