The Confederation of Labor (CL) "Podkrepa," together with the National Federation of "Agriculture and Forestry" within the union, have joined forces with the employees of the Regional Inspectorates of Environment and Water (RIEW) to send an official open letter to the Ministry of Environment and Water (MOEW). In the document, they firmly insist that union representatives and system workers be actively included in the discussion process regarding the planned reform within the ministry, while also demanding the provision of all necessary information and documentation regarding the matter.

The letter states that the unions fully support the need to optimize the system's operations, achieve higher efficiency, reduce unnecessary administrative burdens, and strengthen existing expert capacity. However, "Podkrepa" emphasizes that it is unacceptable for any reform that directly impacts structure, functions, job security, and working conditions to be conducted without the real and direct participation of the employees themselves.

At present, there is a palpable sense of anxiety and serious uncertainty within RIEW circles. Employees lack clarity regarding exactly what is being planned, what specific structural changes are on the agenda, and what the real consequences will be for their professional activities in the future.

For this reason, CL "Podkrepa" insists that the Minister of Environment and Water, Rositsa Karamfilova, organize an urgent official meeting with representatives of the union, the National Federation of "Agriculture and Forestry," and RIEW employees. At this meeting, it is expected that the details of the reform will be clarified, such as:

  • the specific parameters of the planned structural changes;
  • possible changes in the functions and powers of the regional inspectorates;
  • opportunities for transferring or centralizing administrative functions;
  • changes in staff numbers;
  • plans regarding potential layoffs and subsequent reassignments.

Parallel to these events, parliament adopted at first reading a Bill for Amendment and Supplement to the Waste Management Act (WMA), submitted by Bozhidar Bozhanov and a group of Members of Parliament from "Democratic Bulgaria" (DB). The changes were voted through with solid support from 174 deputies, with seven abstentions and none voting "against." The motives for the project foresee a change in the operating regime for recovery organizations and entities fulfilling their obligations individually under the WMA. The main goal is to transition from the current licensing regime to a simplified registration regime, as well as to delegate some of the oversight powers from the MOEW to the National Revenue Agency (NRA) and the Customs Agency. "Democratic Bulgaria" argues the need for change by stating that the current licensing regime creates artificial barriers for new market participants. The bill also includes the elimination of the product fee for motor vehicles (MV), as the sponsors consider their dismantling an economic activity that generates revenue through the recovery of component parts.