1.
ESC INSISTS ON ADOPTION OF A NEW VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING ACT
10 June 2017
At his last Plenary Session ESC adopted a Resolution on "Possible directions for the development of the vocational education and training system in Bulgaria".
In its act ESC found different challenges to vocational training and education (VET) such as the loss of competitive advantages in vocational education and training of the workforce, especially in the field of new technologies, the lack of effective links between training institutions and employers, the inability to develop modern professional skills in a real environment, the lack of a system for regularly forecasting the needs of vocational education and training, as well as obsolete facilities and textbooks.
In its Resolution ESC proposed that the national strategy for VET should be implemented on the basis of medium-term national plans prepared by the Ministry of Education and Science in cooperation with other institutions and the social partners. ESC also believes that there is a need for updating the current Strategy for the development of VET by applying a wider regional approach to the development of the system's infrastructure. ESC also emphasized the need to adopt an entirely new Vocational Education and Training Act, to update secondary legislation, incl. the acts regulating dual learning and, where necessary to make appropriate changes to the Labour Code, the Social Security Code, the Health Insurance Act, the Corporate Income Tax Act, etc.
Other highlights in the resolution of the ESC include the development of the existing network of information and career guidance centres, the adoption of an adequate methodology for the recognition of acquired qualifications through non-formal learning, the conduct of information campaigns in order to increase the interest in vocational education and training. Last but not least, ESC recommended improving the regulatory framework for encouraging employers who accept students to practices, internships or dual training as well as vocational high schools which by means of vocational training practices produce and place products on the market.
ESC's Resolution on Vocational Education and Training is another act in which the Council assesses the importance of the problems in this area and proposes solutions to some of them. The document was pre-consulted with representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science, teachers, school principals and representatives of vocational training centres.
2.
ESC HELD A CONSULTATION ABOUT DRAFT OPINION ON BULGARIA'S APPLICATION FOR THE EUROZONE
09 June 2017
On 9 June 2017. The Commission on Budget, Finance, Insurance and Insurance called an extended meeting to discuss a draft ESC opinion on "Accelerating the preparations for accession of the Republic of Bulgaria to the Eurozone".
The consultation was attended by more than 20 members of the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Economy, the Institute for Economic Research and the Institute of Law of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, the Fiscal Council, the Bulgarian Macroeconomic Association, financial experts and members of the ESC. They all expressed the view that the proposed draft opinion was timely and expertly prepared. By signing the Lisbon Treaty Bulgaria has assumed the obligation to become a member of the Eurozone, everyone stressed. The remaining question is when this should happen.
The participants in the discussion united around two main conclusions. The first one is that an awareness and information campaign is needed for the pros and cons if Bulgaria joins the Eurozone. According to the opinion of most of the representatives of the institutions, citizens form their attitude to the forthcoming application of Bulgaria only from the past experience of other countries, without taking into account the most important positive premise in our country - the functioning of a currency board in Bulgaria.
The second conclusion is that Bulgaria fulfils all Maastricht criteria and this gives grounds for the country to declare its will to join ERM 2 in a time and manner that the government will evaluate.The draft opinion will be considered and adopted by the Plenary Session of the ESC.
3.
ESC'S ACTIVITY REPORT FOR 2016 WAS DISCUSSED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON LABOUR, SOCIAL AND DEMOGRAPHIC POLICY
07 June 2017
On 7 June, at its meeting, the Parliamentary Committee on Labour, Social and Demographic Policy examined the Economic and Social Council's Activity Report for 2016
ESC President Prof. Dr. Lalko Dulevski presented briefly the activities of the ESC focusing on the main acts adopted during the year, on the consultations held during their discussions as well as on the regional and national discussions in the country.
He pointed to the three main topics on which the ESC has been working consistently in recent years - the European Semester and the accompanying documents, unemployment and especially long-term unemployment and the problems of young people and their employment and social realization.
Professor Dulevski highlighted the topic of young people, stressing that it has important implications for society as a whole, and ESC consistently identifies the problems and seeks solutions. Data from the latest ESC analysis of the migration attitudes of young people completing their secondary education in 2016 confirm the trends of previous ESC studies. The alarming conclusions of the analysis are that about two-thirds of secondary school graduates have the intention to leave their place of residence, and three-quarters of them have excellent academic results. The ESC President pointed out that the inability to find a good and well-paid job in their place of residence as well as the unsatisfactory quality of education, especially for the excellent students, are the the main reasons for students' migration intentions.
By means of the surveys and analysis of migration attitudes, ESC warns of the worrying prospect of depopulation of villages and some regions, Prof. Dulevski said and stressed that the ESC defines internal migration as a serious challenge for our country. In 2016 ESC initiated a series of meetings in Sofia and cities in the country with graduates, local authorities and business, the ESC President also said. He identified these meetings as a bridge between businesses and local government on the one hand and young people on the other. At these meetings participants exchange information on the prospects and future development of regions, about opportunities for young people to work in the coming years.
Professor Dulevski informed MPs that the model of consultations with experts and representatives of the institutions in the drafting of acts continues this year. He gave as an example the ongoing consultations at the ESC on the forthcoming acts of the Council concerning vocational education and training, early school leaving, the possibility of Bulgaria joining the Eurozone, etc.
In 2016 too ESC cooperated actively with the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) by organizing with its assistance several public consultations in Sofia, Prof. Dulevski indicated. The consultations were attended by the Chairman of the Parliamentary Commission for Labour, Social and Demographic Policy - Dr. Hasan Ademov, ministers, deputy ministers, state government experts.
The ESC President highlighted the discussion with civil organizations of the draft of the European Social Rights Pillar in Sofia last autumn. ESC supports the opinion that this project should apply to all EU Member States and not just to the Eurozone countries, he said. This position was defended by both the Bulgarian government and the EESC opinion.
In conclusion, Prof. Dulevski informed MPs that this year, ESC is drafting acts for the European Commission's White Paper and the future of the EU, for the prospect of Bulgaria applying for the Eurozone, for the European Social Rights Pillar, which are also largely related to the upcoming Bulgarian EU presidency .
The Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee, Dr. Ademov, congratulated ESC on the results of its activities and proposed to continue the discussions on the priorities of Europe and Bulgaria in joint workshops this year.
All members of the committee accepted ESC's Activity Report for the past year.
4.
BULGARIA'S POSITION IN THE DEBATE FOR THE FUTURE OF EUROPE SHOULD BE CLEAR AND LOUD
02 June 2017
Bulgaria's position on the future of Europe should be convincing and loud, this was the general conclusion of the Economic and Social Council of Bulgaria and the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) from the discussion on the five scenarios of the White Paper on the future of Europe.
Europe is at a crossroads and the voice of its citizens must be heard, including that of the Bulgarian people, even more so during the upcoming Bulgarian Presidency of the EU. Minister Liliana Pavlova, who opened the forum at the Sofia Hotel Balkan, said that one of the ideas for continuation of this debate is to organize a high level forum in Sofia. At this forum, Bulgaria will come forward with a declaration on the priorities of the Presidency and Bulgaria's position on the future of Europe. Minister Pavlova also said that the question is not whether the European project has a future, but how to move it forward, how to make it more efficient, with simpler rules and processes, more balance and control, with a clear cohesion policy.
The forum was attended by the Minister of Labour and Social Policy, Bisser Petkov, the Chairmen of the National Assembly Commissions Hassan Ademov, Petar Kanev and Kristian Vigenin, the Deputy Head of the Representation of the European Commission in Sofia, representatives of employers' organizations, the trade unions, the academic community and non-governmental organizations.
The main topics of the debate were the economic dimensions of the future of Europe and possible alternatives, the social dimension of the future of Europe, the five scenarios presented in the White Paper.
Professor Dr. Lalko Dulevski, chairman of the Economic and Social Council, stressed that the basis of any act that the Council adopts and proposes to all state institutions is preceded by dialogue and wide-ranging discussion. This is why the initiative to hold this debate in the 27 EU Member States immediately received a wide response in Bulgaria. The EESC is expected to adopt an opinion after the discussions in all Member States have been completed.
During the discussion, various positions were heard about which one of the five scenarios proposed by EC President Juncker is the best for Bulgaria. Various arguments were advanced in support of different scenarios - the continuation of the EU project as it stands; for a more effective Europe, but with the important emphasis on pursuing the cohesion policy; for the fifth one - envisaging full integration - receiving the strongest support from the participants in the debate; and for a new sixth scenario in which more interests of civil society are taken into account in an integrated manner.
However, there was a very clear focus on the issue of the social dimension, which according to the trade unions is not reflected and adequately developed in the White Paper. For Bulgaria, as well as for Europe, solidarity is the main pillar of all policies, especially in the social sphere. These were the words of ESC President Prof. Dulevski, who emphasizes that a measure for social justice is the fact that Bulgaria is a EU Member State that has not created any financial or other problem for the EU. While Bulgarians have paid a very high price in terms of the emigration of almost 2 million People and this should be recognized by Europe. When young people stop leaving our villages, cities and our country, then there will really be European justice and solidarity, Prof. Dulevski added.
The development of new technologies, new challenges to the labour market, education, health care and all social systems must be the focus of discussion when addressing our future, said the representatives of employers and the trade unions. The level of remuneration and employment, the quality of life in our country, the level of social services, the functioning of social systems, social security, social protection, the strength of civil society, the creation of a European civil society, the trust in the EU and the institutions - were among the discussed topics.
The forum raised the question of Bulgaria's self-confidence and the participants expressed their agreement that it is high time for Bulgaria to shake off the sense of Euro-Provincialism. The expectations of civil society are that, during the upcoming Bulgarian Presidency our institutions will perform up to the standard set by their EU partners and will defend Bulgarian ideas and interests.
The three Chairmen of National Assembly Committees Petar Kanev, Hassan Ademov and Christian Vigenin called for continuation at the National Assembly of the discussion about the future of Europe and the role of Bulgaria in it.
5.
THE EUROPEAN PILAR OF SOCIAL RIGHTS SHOULD BE APPLIED IN ALL MEMBER STATES OF EU AND THE RIGHT TO EDUCATION SHOULD BE GUARANTEED FOR CHILDREN
10 October 2016
European Pilar for Social Rights to be applied in all the Members States of EU and not just in the Euro area as it is proposed in the draft. This proposal of the President of the Bulgarian ESC prof. Lalko Dulevski was broadly supported during the Annual meeting of the Presidents and Secretaries General of the EU Member States and the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) which was held on 6th and 7th of October 2016 in Madrid. Fifteen National Economic and Social Councils took part at the Meeting as well as the EESC President Georgios Dassis.
This year’s Annual Meeting topic was “The Future of Work and Social Rights in a Changing Europe” and a large part of debate was devoted to the European Pilar of Social Rights. Prof. Dulevski put forward one more proposal to be included in the conclusions for the meeting, namely – “the children’s right of education to be guaranteed by national institutions obligations and the obligation of the parents.
The meeting conclusions will be finally formulated by EESC and will be presented to the International Labour Organisation. Currently the EESC is developing discussions on the Commission’s initiative for European Pilar of Social Rights in all member states in which the organized civil society is invited to participate. Such a dialogue meeting was held in Sofia on 3rd of October 2016 in cooperation with the Bulgarian Economic and Social Council. The participants at the Bulgarian debate stood behind the position that the European Pilar for Social Rights should be applied in all member states and it should enrich and complete the existing EU policies and practices. EESC has been asked by the European Commission to issue an opinion on this topic and it will be presented at the end of the year.
6.
SOLIDARITY IS THE DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN ENERGY PROJECT
23 March 2016
Solidarity is what Europe needs the most right now, said Pierre Jean Coulon - President of the Section for Transport, Energy, Infrastructure and the Information Society (TEN) to the European Economic and Social Committee. He made this statement yesterday at the conference in Sofia, which was organized jointly with the Economic and Social Council of Bulgaria. The topic “European Energy Union - Impact and Consequences for Civil Society in Bulgaria” gathered together participants from Bulgaria, Poland, Germany, Austria, France, Slovakia, Croatia, Spain, representatives of the European Economic and Social Committee, the European Commission and the Bulgarian Economic and Social Council, experts, business representatives, members of Parliament.
Solidarity was the word which all the participant at the conference adopted as a basic principle not only for solving energy issues in the Member States. According to the President of the TEN Section, in the field of energy solidarity should be shown on all levels - from the participants in generation, transmission, distribution and consumption of energy through solidarity in network construction and linkages to negotiations with “Gazprom”, which each country holds by itself.
He added that European countries should show solidarity in the efforts to combat energy poverty, because in our days 69 million Europeans could not pay their electricity bills and more solidarity was needed in the research and development work, in sharing ideas and innovation. Pierre Jean Coulon stressed that in Bulgaria was difficult the transition to energy market liberalization, not only because a change was needed in the current energy mix, but because of the inherited difficulties in contracting and regulations. He gave France as an example, where the energy market was fully liberalized two years ago.
The Deputy Minister of Energy Nikolay Nikolov in his speech stressed on the importance of the European Energy Union project for Bulgaria and its positive impact not only in the energy sector, but for the entire business and all citizens. He briefly presented the main projects in which Bulgaria was working towards more diversification, efficiency and infrastructure for energy products supply - development of interconnections between countries in the region, internal gas network and concept of creating “Balkan” gas distribution center in Bulgaria. The Deputy Minister Nikolov also highlighted that the Bulgarian government was rapidly working for the construction of interconnections with Greece, Romania and Turkey, as well as for the realization of interconnector with Serbia. Last but not least are the studies in the Black Sea shelf for own production, Mr. Nikolov said. He assured the participants at the conference that within a week a report by the World Bank was to be expected, which would recommend the most appropriate model of liberalization for Bulgaria.