Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce

Bulgarian employers' organizations are calling in a new protest to vent their anger at a hike in power prices for industrial consumers.

They will also insist on the resignation of Ivan Ivanov, the head of Bulgaria's energy regulator.

The four major employers' associations in Bulgaria and the two trade unions have issued a list of demands triggered by the new power price hike, warning to renew and intensify protests in September unless the requirements are fulfilled.

Vasl Velev, Chair of the Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association (BICA), has argued that electricity tariffs should remain unchanged in the next pricing period.

In a Thursday interview for TV7, Velev claimed that there was no obstacle, be it of legal or economic nature, for Bulgaria's Commission for Energy and Water Regulation (KEVR) to keep electricity prices unchanged.

Representatives of employers' associations and trade unions staged protests over a forthcoming power price hike in a number of cities across Bulgaria.

The rally in Sofia, which started at the Council of Ministers building an ended in front of the National Assembly, was attended by several hundred people, according to reports of Capital daily.

Ivan Ivanov, Chair of the Commission for Energy and Water Regulation (KEVR), has said that there is no option to further postpone the entry into force of new electricity prices.

Speaking after a Tuesday meeting of KEVR, he commented that the demands of trade unions and employers' associations for a new postponement could not be met as the law did not allow for that step.

Bulgaria's four major associations of employers have called for a power price freeze by end-2015.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov has summoned a meeting of all ministers over the planned increase in electricity prices for industrial consumers as of July 1.

Sunday's meeting at the Council of Ministers building in Sofia is to also include energy experts, according to reports of the Bulgarian National Television.

Several business unions of international companies have moved to support Bulgarian energy watchdog KEVR's intention to increase electricity prices for industrial consumers, Capital Daily says.

This comes amid tensions between national business unions and the energy regulator as the latter is intending on rising industrial power prices in July.

The minimum wage in Bulgaria will increase by BGN 16 starting July 1 and will thus slightly surpass the country's estimated poverty line.

Upon all taxes and insurances are paid, the current minimum wage reaches BGN 282. Starting July 1, the amount will increase to BGN 298, as stated in the report presented by Labor Minister Ivaylo Kalfin.

The Supreme Administrative Court (VAS) has overturned a government decree which set the minimum wage in the country at BGN 360-380.

Under a decision dating last year, as of January 1, 2015 the amount rose to BGN 360 (up by BGN 20 compared to 2014) and was to grow by another BGN 20, to BGN 380, on July 1.