The two largest trade union organizations in Bulgaria - the Podkrepa Labor Confederation and the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions (CITUB), have taken official actions to draw the government's attention to the critical situation in forestry.
In an official letter sent to the Prime Minister, they requested an urgent interdepartmental meeting to discuss urgent measures. The main focus is on the chronic underfunding of the sector, which creates serious preconditions for risk during the fire-prone summer season.
The union representatives emphasize that workers in state forestry and hunting farms are key participants in extinguishing forest fires, but are extremely poorly equipped. The lack of adequate funding directly affects wages, specialized equipment, and firefighting technology.
The letter insists on developing a medium-term financial plan that should be ready no later than October 1, 2025. The document must take into account the specifics of forestry, legally assigned activities, market changes in wood processing, and the capabilities of local industry.
The unions propose that the ministers of agriculture, finance, and economy participate in the meeting. The goal is to achieve a comprehensive solution for financial stabilization of the sector.
As a first step towards improving conditions, an agreement has already been reached to increase personnel funds. From July 1, 2025, an increase of 20% is planned in the Regional Agricultural Directorates, 15% in the Executive Agency for Hail Suppression, and the same percentage in the Executive Agency for Fisheries and Aquaculture.
The leaderships of Podkrepa and CITUB insist on quick and specific actions that guarantee the safety and motivation of employees in the critically important forestry sector.