Our fist experience in labor exchange is from Spain. It was conducted in Madrid and it was dictated by the amount of Bulgarians in the area and the increasing amount of unemployment because of which job positions can become in danger. The unemployment level in Spain has risen from 8.7% in the beginning of 2008 to 11.3% in the last few months, which is a record jump for the EU in the past few years. This labor exchange is organized for our countrymen in Spain.

The informational labor exchange attracted big interest. Some of the people who participated were Minister Emilia Maslarova, our ambassador in Madrid Mr. Ivan Hristov, deputy-minister Dimitar Dimitrov, Iordan Yanev – deputy-chairman of the Association of Bulgarians abroad, over 200 Bulgarian citizens, who live and work in Spain, representatives of the government in Madrid, Bulgarian and Spanish journalists, experts from the Ministry, the Labor Association, National Insurance Institute, and 10 employers.

The main accent of the labor exchange was the opportunity for a direct dual-sided contact between the present Bulgarian employers and the Bulgarian employees – participants in the exchange. Some Spanish firms, which have offices in Bulgaria and ten Bulgarian employers presented their companies and offers to the participants. Those companies were in the sectors of construction, machine building, tourism, and the small-scale industry. “Coca Cola Hellenic Bottling Company Bulgaria” announced over 30 positions in the producing sector, informatics, finance, trade, and unskilled personnel.

“Bestehnika TM Radomir” presented their need for qualified and unskilled workers specializing in machine engineering, welders, crane operators, service and support fitters, operators for metal working machines and others. “Glavbulgarstroi,” “Borui,” “Job City,” and “Stroitelen Pazar” focused on the search of personnel for construction – positions in the middle management level and workers with technical education and qualification. “Adeko” Bulgaria, “Franz Marie,” and “Job City” gave job opportunities in the pharmaceutical sector and in the informatics, finance and law, informational technologies, administration and industry, engineering, tailor producing, and tourism. Spanish firm “Armacentro” sought for a big range of specialists for the future building of Danube Bridge 2. All companies announced the offered salaries as well.

In construction, “Glavbulgarstroi,” and “Borui” announced the offered salaries to be 60 to 120 BGN depending on the qualification. In the tourism sector the salaries for cooks are 2000 – 3000 BGN; for chambermaids 600 BGN; hotels managers 1500 – 2000 BGN. ‘Bestehnika TM Radomir” offered 50 positions mainly for welders, fitters – installers, turners, service and engineering personnel – the salary in the factory is 1060 BGN.

Coca-Cola Bulgaria shared that 100% of the workers who turned to them, which are over 100 people, can be hired in the company – all facts point that way.

“Glavbulgarstroi” and “Stroitelen Paza” said that they can hire 20 workers right away from the 50 who turned to them. “Bestehnika TM Radomir” – marked their first 10 future workers.

The interest for the open positions was big. The Bulgarian workers were discussing specific salaries, work conditions and advancement opportunities with their future employees, they exchanged address information, or they received document information needed for appointments.

The people showed big interest in the mediatory forms for finding a job. Something typical for those companies is that they charge only the employer and the job application service is free. The Labor Agency was consulting each worker from the ones present. This way the workers had the chance to receive additional information about the available positions. “Job City” promised to find jobs for 15% of the ones who visited their stand – over 80 people.

“Adeco Bulgaria” promised to look for job positions of all who came to their stand – over 50 people. According to them, there is a realistic opportunity for those workers to start working in Bulgaria.

A representative of the National Insurance Institute also participated in the exchange – the director of “European Insurances” department.

Mrs. Maria Kasarova, also participated and was consulting regarding the insurance rights, procedures for retiring and European legislature. Briefly, this how the labor exchange is held. Similar will be the one in Athens. The difference will come from the different jobs people will be interested in. We will understand their preferences from the questionnaires.

What are the chances for requalification in Bulgaria?

The Ministry of Labor has a wide range program for requalification and has offices almost everywhere in the country. The labor market has become dynamic and in order for the workers to be able to keep up, they need to prequalify or to get a more current qualification.

In connection to this – what are the forecasts? Will Greece lift the labor barrier after 2009 for all Bulgarians?

We do expect Greece to lift this barrier because they have always said that Bulgarians do not cause problems in this regard. We see that the financial crisis situation is bad and unemployment will probably increase. So, we are expecting a decision, which we hope will be announced in January.