Bulgarian Trade Unions Threaten Protests over Planned Merger of Customs, Revenue Agency

Trade union representatives at Bulgaria's Customs Agency have threatened protests unless their demands, including the termination of the merger with the National Revenue Agency (NRA), are discussed.

Stefan Stefanov, trade union leader at the customs authority, explained in an interview for the Bulgarian Telegraph Agency, that the move would be used to cover up wrongdoings of politicians, at the same time sacrificing the stability of the country.

The proposal for the merger of the Customs Agency and the NRA was put forth by liberal party Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS).

In June 2014, Yordan Tsonev, Chair of the parliamentary budget committee in the 42nd National Assembly, emphasized the need to activate the project, adding that working groups from a number of institutions were working on it.

Petar Chobanov, Finance Minister during the term in office of the socialist-led government, backed Tsonev, claiming that the measure would boost the coordination between the two bodies.

Meanwhile, the two trade unions, Labor Confederation "Podkrepa" and the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria, opposed the merger.

Center-right party Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) has welcomed the proposal, while the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) has opposed it.