Parliament's internal security and public order committee has approved changes to Bulgaria's Foreigners Act at second reading. Employers who cause a foreigner to lose access to the labour market will owe that person compensation.
The changes aim to bring the law into line with EU law, make legal labour migration easier and limit the risk of labour exploitation.
Seasonal workers who live in housing provided by their employer will have to be given a written contract setting out the rent terms.
Children of staff without diplomatic rank who work abroad will also be able to get service passports. The children must be no older than 25, unmarried and still studying in the host country.
Standard issue of the documents will take 20 days, down from 30.
At first reading, MPs backed the bill from the Council of Ministers. Another bill to amend the same law, submitted by Democratic Bulgaria, did not win support.