Deputies have approved measures aimed at surmounting the unemployment of young people. They approved unanimously two draft bills for amendments to the Employment Encouragement Act.

The first, tabled by Sergey Stanishev and  a group of MPs, envisages securing of first jobs to young people up to 29 years old, who have finished their secondary or university education. The proposal is for the state to subsidize part of the health and retirement benefits of the worker, paid by the employer, for a period of 6 to 18 months according to the following scheme – 30% during the first 6 months of employment, 50% for the next 6 months and 75% for the last 6 months. After the expiration of the 18 months the employer takes the obligation to extend the contract of the worker with another 12 months.

The second bill tabled by the Coalition for Bulgaria MP Anton Kutev and a group of MPs envisages subsidies for employers, who open jobs for unemployed youngsters, corresponding to their qualifications and skills, for a period of 6 to 18 months. The amount of the subsidy is to increase every six months, starting at 30 % for the first 6 months, 50% for the next 6 months and 75% for the last 6 months. Another measure in the bill proposes hiring of young people up to 29 years of age, with primary or lower level of education, lacking qualifications, for a paid 12 months training, on a particular position, under the supervision of a mentor, paid by the state.

The amendments foresee provision of fellowships to participants in motivational courses.  The bill regulates the granting of work and residence permits in a single procedure.

The Chair of the Labor and Social Committee, Kornelia Ninova, explained that the measures foreseen in the amendments may cover 71 000 young people up to 29 years old. She added the measures target 3 groups of young people – first the ones who have just graduated and enter the labor market for the first time, second - the permanently unemployed with a secondary or higher education and third - those without qualifications and education.