The import of labor from third countries is a temporary measure, according to the outgoing Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Innovation and Growth, Tomislav Donchev. According to him, the future of the labor market in Bulgaria is not connected with the import of labor, but with the return of Bulgarians from abroad to the country. This process, he believes, would have a favorable influence on the Bulgarian economy.
Donchev answered a question from the parliamentary group of "Vazrazhdane" within the framework of today's parliamentary blitz control. The question was addressed to him due to the absence of the outgoing Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov due to official duties.
Tomislav Donchev again supported the thesis that the process will intensify once the GDP per capita reaches 70 percent of the average European level.
“The main factor for the competitiveness of the Bulgarian economy will be the quality of human capital,” said the outgoing Deputy Prime Minister.
Another measure to ensure labor for the needs of the Bulgarian economy is encouraging Bulgarian citizens who are outside the labor market to join it, instead of encouraging them to rely on social systems.
Tomislav Donchev also shared his opinion on the topic of refugees and economic migrants. Regarding refugees, he pointed out that as a society we are obliged to provide temporary support to anyone fleeing war.
“The issue is not the same for economic migrants,” Donchev distinguished between the topics. According to him, the EU should have focused its efforts on migration policy and the protection of common borders, and not on the Green Pact. He defined this as a missed opportunity - if migration policy had been the focus, this would now mean a stronger EU and more united societies.
In saying this, Donchev added that the number of illegal immigrants has decreased many times over, due to the effective protection of the borders. The outgoing Deputy Prime Minister also said that Bulgaria did not allow a mass influx of emigrants, considering it a good decision from today's point of view.