In the period February 9–11, 2026, the Chairman of FTTU, Eng. Aleksandar Shopov, and the Vice President of CITUB, Ognyan Atanasov, visited the city of Varna, where they held meetings and visits to enterprises in the "Transport" sector in connection with the ongoing study and analysis of working conditions and the 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 – busy 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 labor in the sector – shift work, night work, a high level of responsibility, and a significant level of stress, which have a direct impact on the health and safety of workers.

The workers were provided with questionnaires to collect information on the actual state of the working environment, as well as informational materials. Through the survey, an in-depth analysis of risk factors, the frequency of occupational diseases, and their relationship to specific working conditions will be prepared. The collected data will serve to formulate well-founded recommendations and proposals for improving the regulatory framework and practical measures in the sector.

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

In the course of the visits, it was established that refreshing and renovation activities are needed in some of the companies, as well as additional investments for modernizing the working environment – including the renovation of sanitary and utility premises, rest areas, and technical infrastructure. The issue of the need for a longer-term and consistent policy regarding staffing and qualification improvement was also raised, as the staff shortage is increasingly taking a toll on the workload and health of the workers.

FTTU emphasizes that ensuring safe and healthy working conditions is a shared responsibility that requires sustainable solutions, adequate funding, and a functioning social dialogue. Improving working conditions should not be seen as a formal requirement, but as a strategic priority, directly linked 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 upcoming visits to other enterprises in the sector are scheduled. The results of the meetings held and the collected information will be summarized in a final analysis, which will be presented to the competent institutions and social partners with the aim of taking concrete follow-up actions.