Amid the challenging conditions in Pakistan, many citizens are considering relocating abroad. There is promising news for those looking to move: Bulgaria urgently requires 3 million foreign workers to address labour shortages.
Human resources expert Georgi Parvanov highlighted that Bulgaria’s labour market is currently short by approximately 2.5 to 3 million workers. According to Schengen Dot News, 70,000 vacancies are for seasonal positions due to these shortages.
Proposal for Worker Recruitment
Georgi Parvanov, a Confederation of Employment’s Executive Committee member, has proposed that Bulgaria implement a quota system to recruit workers from abroad. He stressed the importance of attracting a diversified workforce from multiple countries to avoid dependence on any single nationality.
Visa and Employment Opportunities
For the manufacturing sector across various industries, 35,000 to 40,000 workers are anticipated to be hired this year through a 3-year visa program. Parvanov pointed out that Bulgaria’s foreign embassies are not yet fully prepared for this influx, estimating the importation of approximately 35,000 to 40,000 workers this year alone.
Integration and Interests from Various Countries
He further noted that workers from Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan have successfully integrated into Bulgarian society. Workers in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan are also showing increasing interest. In terms of compensation, professionals moving to Bulgaria for work can expect to earn between 500 and 700 euros per month, significantly more than the 200 to 300 euros they might earn in their home countries.
Legal Rights and Available Professions
Foreign workers are granted the same wages and benefits as their Bulgarian counterparts. The European Labour Authority recently reported that Bulgaria faces worker shortages in 11 key professions, including heavy truck and bus drivers, sewing machine operators, welders, gardeners, chefs, accountants, secondary education teachers, nurses, medical practitioners, and electrical engineers.
Additional Employment Needs
Additionally, there are demands for employees in other areas, such as retail sales assistants, social work associates, administrative and executive secretaries, and psychologists. This presents a substantial opportunity for those looking to work in Bulgaria and contribute to its diverse economic sectors.