Access to the labour market

Bulgaria

Country Report: Access to the labour market Last updated: 10/07/24

Author

Bulgarian Helsinki Committee Visit Website

Access to the labour market is automatic and unconditional. There is no difference between refugees and subsidiary protection beneficiaries in this respect. No labour market test is applied and access is not limited to certain sectors. Beneficiaries of international protection face the usual obstacles related to lack of language knowledge and related lack of adequate state support for vocational training, if necessary or offered.

Professional qualifications obtained in the country of origin are not recognised in general. The law does not provide for a solution with respect to refugees and subsidiary protection beneficiaries except the general rules and conditions for legalization of diplomas. On its own, the latter constitutes a complicated procedure which in most of the cases requires re-taking of exams and educational levels.

In 2023, the SAR issued 579 labour permits to asylum seekers pending status determination who were looking to support themselves while their asylum claims were being processed.[1] Out of them, only 2 asylum seekers alongside 17 persons granted international protection were employed through employment programs, while the rest found work independently and on their own initiative.[2] At the same time a total of 1,484 persons with temporary protection were employed through employment programs.[3]

 

 

 

[1] SAR, reg. No. №РД05-31 from 15 January 2024.

[2] Employment Agency, reg. No.РД08-2852 from 22 December 2023.

[3] Ibid.

Table of contents

  • Statistics
  • Overview of the legal framework
  • Overview of the of the main changes since the previous report update
  • Asylum Procedure
  • Reception Conditions
  • Detention of Asylum Seekers
  • Content of International Protection
  • ANNEX – Transposition of the CEAS in national legislation