2024-03-21 04:50:51
The government also found BGN 39 million for university teachers
Higher salaries for the military, scientists and university professors were approved by the Council of Ministers on Wednesday, amid scandals in power.
Civilian and military employees of the Ministry of Defense will receive a 10% increase. This will happen
retroactive to January 1,
and for this purpose the cabinet will allocate an additional 180 million BGN.
The money is given for “the implementation of the necessary policy to increase the motivation to enter, perform and retain work in the Ministry of Defense, the structures directly subordinated to the Minister of Defense and the Bulgarian Army”. According to the latest data, there are more than 5,000 vacancies in the military. One of the problems in finding personnel is precisely the low pay.
BGN 39 million to raise the salaries of university professors, assistants and doctoral students will be given by the government.
Their pay increase last week
was approved by parliament after
4 hours of scandals The proposal for this came from the GERB, but the PP-DB opposed the idea of the changes coming into effect now and suggested that the start be January 1, 2025, since there are no funds for this in the budget for this year. The higher salaries will cost the state a total of about BGN 206 million. There were even accusations that this could have hindered Bulgaria’s entry into the Eurozone next year. GERB, however, reprimanded its partners that Finance Minister Asen Vassilev was able to find BGN 150 million to exempt students from fees at state universities, and could not provide higher remuneration for the academic staff.
University professors are scheduled to receive a minimum of 180% of the average gross salary
for the country. Assistants will receive at least 125% of the average salary, and the amount cannot be lower than last year. 80% of the same amount is guaranteed for researchers, specialists and experts appointed by universities to support scientific research work and creative activity.
A minimum amount of scholarships for doctoral students is also introduced – 150% of the minimum salary.
BGN 10 million has been earmarked to raise salaries at the BAS as well. “Thanks to the financing, the remuneration of 2,271 representatives of the academic staff of the BAS and 12,070 representatives of the academic staff in 33 state higher education institutions will increase”, according to the resignation of the government.