Minister of Labor and Social Policy Borislav Gutsanov met with Seda Kuzudzu, representative of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Bulgaria. Among the main topics discussed were the expansion of cooperation in the field of social support and integration of vulnerable groups in society, child protection measures and alternative care for unaccompanied children, and integration measures for forcibly displaced persons with international and temporary protection in Bulgaria. The meeting was also attended by Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Policy Natalia Efremova.
Minister Gutsanov expressed his gratitude for the long-standing partnership with UNHCR and emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts between state institutions and international partners to achieve sustainable results in support of people in difficult situations. He highlighted the role of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy as a key factor in the process of integration and provision of social protection to vulnerable persons, including children, persons with disabilities and people who encounter difficulties in accessing the labor market.
The discussion examined current measures for the development of social services, including specialized care, support for children at risk, access to educational and health services. The legal aspects of social support and the possibilities for upgrading the existing mechanisms for inter-institutional cooperation were also discussed.
The Minister also drew attention to the programs for employment and vocational training, which support the integration of disadvantaged people into the labor market. Among them are initiatives for learning the Bulgarian language, acquiring qualifications and subsidized employment, implemented in partnership with the Employment Agency.
Minister Gutsanov emphasized that the state policy is aimed at ensuring equal access to social protection and inclusion, while respecting the human rights and dignity of every person.