Recruitment

At the close of the third quarter in 2024, Bulgaria saw a slight decrease in both employment numbers and average wages, according to data from the National Statistical Institute (NSI). The total number of people employed in labor and service roles dropped by 22,800, or 1%, from the previous quarter, bringing the total workforce to 2.33 million.

Salaries have increased in total by 12-46% over the last five years in the 20 sectors with the greatest employment, according to the Labor Ministry's Ergani database.

Cyprus' House of Representatives has ratified an agreement between the government and trade unions to implement a general 1.5% wage increase for public and semi-public sector employees. The decision was reached with 25 votes in favor and 17 against, following a lengthy debate that revealed deep divisions within the legislature.

Earlier this week, the Cabinet approved the 2025 hiring plan, which applies to all public sector agencies and various sectors and specialties.

In Bulgaria, purchasing a 100 sq.m. apartment requires the equivalent of 199 monthly salaries, according to a recent study that compares real estate prices across 62 countries against average local wages. The report by BestBrokers.com identifies Denmark as the most affordable country in Europe for homebuyers relative to average income, where the average cost of a 100 sq.m.

Public services need reinforcement and new blood. However, this support must be carried out methodically, transparently and quickly. 

The pace at which the public administration recruitment processes, known as ASEP, operates has made transparency seem incompatible with speed. 

Local authorities will hold an online audition from Sept. 14 and 23 to select 160 musicians who will perform at Istanbul metro stations for a year.

The audition will feature four distinct categories — World Music, Turkish Folk Music-Turkish Classical Music, Instrumental and Pop-Rock.

Major changes to both income and solar criteria bring more beneficiaries eligible for the “My Home 2” program.

The economic staff is working on new scenarios that foresee an increase of up to 25% in the existing criteria, in order to include new beneficiaries who were excluded in the first phase of the program.

Many job advertisements claim to offer a “competitive salary”, but the amount of pay is not clear, with job seekers having to find out how much money to expect from their new duties.

In 6 months, instead of 2 years, the names of successful candidates will be announced. Modernization of document verification, new job announcements, and the creation of a recruitment registry. Interior Minister Th. Livanios and Deputy Minister V. Charalambogianni are overseeing the modernization of ASEP