FTTU and CITUB held a meeting with the Minister of Transport - Grozdan Karadjov

Today, the Chairperson of FTTU Eng. Aleksandar Shopov, together with the President of CITUB Plamen Dimitrov, held a meeting with Grozdan Karadjov - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications. The meeting was attended by the Vice President of CITUB Todor Kapitanov and the Chairperson of SO Burgas Airport Todor Todorov.

During the conversation, key topics were discussed in the sectors of water, air, and land transport.

Regarding water transport, emphasis was placed on the development of the ports Varna East, Varna West, and Ruse. The issue of the master plans of the port terminals, which "rest" in MOEW and the non-competitive environment in which they are placed compared to their Romanian competitors, was also addressed.

The government's plans for the concessioning of port terminals and other infrastructure projects were also a topic of conversation. Deputy Prime Minister Grozdan Karadjov commented, "Bulgaria is last in the European Union in this type of public-private partnership. This topic will determine Bulgaria's future in the next 10 years," he affirmed, assuring that the plan for the objects being prepared for concessioning will be discussed with the trade unions.

FTTU and CITUB categorically stated their disagreement with any potential such actions and demanded detailed information on the intentions of the Ministry of Transport and Communications.

There are not one or two examples of the deterioration of social benefits and workers' rights in the presence of a concessionaire, commented the chairperson of FTTU.

In the air transport sector, attention was drawn to Sofia Airport, Varna, and Burgas. Todor Todorov addressed the topic of the development of Burgas Airport.

Among the discussed issues was also the need to appoint more inspectors in the IA "Automobile Administration," as well as an increase in salaries, for which FTTU and CITUB have requested an additional 4.5 million from the state, for which we expect assistance from the Ministry of Transport and Communications before the Ministry of Finance.

The question was raised about the necessary additional funds that should go to the municipalities for the companies in urban transport.

"Funds are being sought for an increase in the salaries of those working in urban transport, expectations are that there will be protests, as without additional funds, the expected salary increases of at least 15% cannot be achieved," said the president of CITUB.

The Ministry of Transport and Communications is expected to send FTTU and CITUB official responses to all raised issues as soon as possible, as well as the respective analyses and data, distributed by sector.