FTTU held meetings in Varna regarding the working conditions in the "Transport" sector!

During the period of February 9–11, 2026, the chairman of FTTU Eng. Alexander Shopov and the vice president of CITUB Ognyan Atanasov visited the city of Varna, where they held meetings and visits in enterprises from the "Transport" sector in connection with the ongoing research and analysis of working conditions and related morbidity among those employed in the sector.

The workplaces in "Urban Transport – Varna", "Port Terminals Varna" – East and West, as well as Varna Airport were visited. During the meetings, employees shared the main challenges in their daily work – heavy and often extended working hours, staff shortages, accumulated fatigue, cases of occupational diseases, and the need for sustainable improvement of working conditions. Special attention was paid to the specifics of the work in the sector – shift regime, night work, high degree of responsibility, and significant stress level, which directly affect the health and safety of workers.

Questionnaires were provided to the workers to gather information about the actual state of the working environment, as well as informational materials. Through the survey, an in-depth analysis will be made of the risk factors, frequency of occupational diseases, and their connection to specific working conditions. The collected data will serve to formulate substantiated recommendations and proposals for improving the regulatory framework and practical measures in the sector.

After the on-site meetings, discussions were also held with the executive directors of the companies jointly with the chairmen of the trade union organizations. Eng. Shopov and Ognyan Atanasov presented the activities of the "Fund for Working Conditions" – financing opportunities, application deadlines, and requirements for proposal preparation. 

During the visits, it was found that some of the companies need refreshment and repair activities, as well as additional investments to modernize the working environment – including updating sanitary facilities, rest places, and technical infrastructure. The need for a longer-term and consistent policy regarding staffing and qualification enhancement was also discussed, as staff shortages are increasingly affecting workload and workers' health.

FTTU emphasizes that ensuring safe and healthy working conditions is a shared responsibility that requires sustainable solutions, adequate funding, and a truly functioning social dialogue. Improving working conditions should not be viewed as a formal requirement but as a strategic priority directly connected to the quality of transport services and the long-term motivation and health of those employed in the sector. 

The meetings within the framework of the study continue in the city of Sofia, where visits to other enterprises in the sector are upcoming. The results of the meetings and the information gathered will be summarized in a concluding analysis, which will be presented to competent institutions and social partners for the purpose of taking specific follow-up actions.