Parliament's social committee has rejected changes to the Labour Code on work by 16 to 18-year-olds. Five MPs voted for the bill at first reading, 9 voted against and 5 abstained.

Svilen Trifonov and a group of MPs from the Democratic Bulgaria parliamentary group tabled the bill. Under it, employers would no longer need permission to hire 16 to 18-year-olds. They would only have to tell the Labour Inspectorate in advance.

In their reasons for the bill, the authors write that special protection for minors stays, and only the form of the advance check changes. Medical fitness rules stay, as do limits on the type of work, working hours and conditions. Inspectors could still check later and act on any breach. The authors say the aim is to let students start seasonal and hourly jobs faster and more simply.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Policy gave a negative opinion. Social minister Natalia Efremova said the current rules meet the conventions of the International Labour Organization. She said Bulgarian law is largely in line with international principles for protecting these workers. She added that permits are not slow, and the main aim is to check whether the work poses a health risk.

Maria Todorova of Progressive Bulgaria does not back the change, because she thinks the current rules work well. Todor Kapitanov, vice president of the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria, said the union does not back the bill either.

Venko Sabrutev of We Continue the Change backed the proposal. He said it would make it easier for young people to start work.