Ninety-two percent of respondents in Bulgaria identify control over working hours and labor duration as a priority, according to the latest data from an Ipsos study. The results, collected across 25 European countries, were discussed during a roundtable titled "The Future of Platform Work in Bulgaria: Ensuring Flexibility, Protection, and Innovation." The event, organized by the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) and the Bulgarian E-Commerce Association, brought together representatives from academia, business, digital labor platforms, parliament, state institutions, and regulatory bodies.

According to the study, delivery platforms provide benefits to the daily lives of 57 percent of Bulgarians, offering convenience and time savings. They also have a positive impact on local commerce – 61 percent of participants believe they support local business, while 82 percent of consumers discovered new local merchants specifically through them. The process of platform work itself is supported by 70 percent of the population, who wish to preserve access to flexible forms of employment.

"Bulgarians express strong support for the flexible forms of employment offered by platforms and expect to maintain their freedom to choose how they work. This is shown by the data from the latest Ipsos study conducted in 25 European countries. The results reveal a clear trend: platform work is perceived as a natural part of the modern economy – valued for the flexibility and opportunities it provides – while simultaneously playing an increasing role in supporting local business and people's daily lives," shared Iva Dimitrova, General Manager of Ipsos Bulgaria, in an official press release.

A central theme of the forum was the implementation of the Platform Work Directive (PWD) within the Bulgarian context. The discussion focused on how the new framework will affect the economy, businesses, digital platforms, regulators, and the workers themselves. During the meeting, a broad consensus was reached that the implementation of the Directive must be balanced. The goal is to protect the rights of workers without jeopardizing the innovation and flexibility that drive the platform economy. The BCCI emphasized that it is critically important to provide clear guidelines, ensure legal certainty, and monitor the social and economic consequences of the changes during their implementation period.

Maria Mincheva, Acting Vice President of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, emphasized the need for predictability and clarity for all parties during the introduction of the Directive. She highlighted that for companies to maintain their competitiveness and generate new economic opportunities, a stable regulatory environment is necessary to guarantee worker protection.

Changes in the rules for working through digital platforms will be relevant for the residents of Burgas and the region who use these services or work in this manner.

According to Zhanet Naydenova, Executive Director of the Bulgarian E-Commerce Association, the future of the Platform Work Directive will be determined by whether we succeed in building a framework that combines both sides of the coin: protecting people and preserving the opportunities that the digital economy provides to entrepreneurs, businesses, and the workers themselves.