The Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB) and the Podkrepa Labour Confederation propose the establishment of a Public Advisory Council under the President.

The new body should be in charge of monitoring the effect of the global financial crisis and propose measures for overcoming it. Podkrepa President Konstantin Trenchev said this at a news conference after a meeting of the Consultative Council held with the participation of the leaders of the two trade unions on Friday.

CITUB President Zhelyazko Hristov warned about possible growth of unemployment and income stagnation due to the crisis in 2009. The two trade unions adopted a joint declaration stating that the tax laws and next year's budget should not transfer the burden of the crisis consequences on the employed.

In the declaration the two trade unions insist on a tangible increase of the minimum working wage, reinstatement of the tax threshold, lifting of the limitations on food vouchers granted to employees, reinstatement of components of family income taxation and introduction of incentives for enhancement of qualification. The two trade unions further insist on a growth of the salaries in the public-financed sector by at least 20 per cent.

CITUB and Podkrepa will hold a joint forum on November 10 to analyze the 2009 draft budget and the collective employment contracts by sectors and will discuss joint decisions on overcoming the adverse effect of the crisis.

After the forum they will stage a rally an give a one-month prior notice to the government for the launching of negotiations on their demands. If the negotiations fail, preparations of an hone-hour effective strike will begin, said Trenchev.

Source: BTA