Bulgarian Unions Rally Outside Parliament and National Bank, Demand Bigger Pay Rise for Public-Sector Workers
Sofia, November 24, 2025 — A wave of discontent erupted today as major trade unions in Bulgaria staged a public protest in front of the National Assembly and the Bulgarian National Bank, calling for significantly higher wages for public-sector employees.
Led by the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB) and supported by the KNSB, the unions decried what they describe as a token 5% salary increase proposed in the draft 2026 budget — a rise they say is far from sufficient.
Demands of the Protesters
Union leaders are demanding an additional BGN 250 million to be allocated in the state budget. These funds would be used to boost salaries across key underfunded public institutions, including social security, tax administration, railways, environmental agencies, and state media like BTA, BNR, and BNT.
Particular emphasis was placed on public media workers — CITUB and KNSB called out the imbalance between journalists’ pay and the rising cost of living. To dramatize their point, union leaders handed out magnifying glasses to MPs entering Parliament, symbolically urging them to “look closely” at the budget to find room for real salary increases.
Media Workers Take the Lead
Journalists from BTA, BNR, and BNT blocked traffic in a segment of Tsar Osvoboditel Boulevard, setting up a makeshift “protest studio” to air their demands. The unions and media staffers argue that without fair compensation for public broadcasters, the cornerstone of public information could weaken.
Unions Warn of Escalation
The unions’ message is clear and firm: if symbolic pay bumps persist, protests will intensify. KNSB has explicitly warned that current plans — seen internally as superficial — will not satisfy public-sector workers and could lead to broader unrest.
CITUB vice president Todor Kapitanov summed up the unions’ frustrations: “We have proposed a serious, realistic plan. But if decision-makers don’t act, this is only the beginning — the pressure will only grow.”
What’s Next?
Union representatives say they will continue to engage with MPs, pressing for revisions before the budget is finalized. For now, the protest underscores a larger tension in Bulgaria: the balancing act between fiscal responsibility and social justice — especially in a moment of economic stress for public-sector workers.
