More than 4,700 registered as unemployed in a day

Unemployment is rising due to the coronavirus measures. Nearly 3,000 people a day become jobless after the state of emergency was introduced, the social minister announced at a briefing at the Council of Ministers on April 2. There is also an increase in sick leaves of nearly 700 per day.

Nearly 60 companies have already applied for support under the job retention measure, according to which the government will pay 60% of the wages of workers who were furloughed..

On April 1, over 4,700 people registered as unemployed, more than two-thirds of whom said at the Labour Offices that they had been released because of the coronavirus crisis. In comparison, only 683 have found a job.

According to figures released by the social policy minister, on average, nearly 2,500 people are out of work per day.

Denitsa Sacheva, Minister of Labour and Social Policy: We receive a lot of inquiries, especially regarding people who have worked so far but have not had a contract or worked without health and social security insurances. What we can say about them is that they can register as unemployed and then be able to apply for social benefits.

There is also a significant increase in sick leaves. If they averaged 300 last week, they have ranged between 680 and 700 a day since the beginning of this week.

Minister Sacheva reassured that social systems would withstand the pressure.

Denitsa Sacheva, Minister of Labour and Social Policy: The systems are in place. They exist. We have enough resources at the moment, but the update we need is in order to be able to provide liquidity and prepare in the worst-case scenario.

She also said that 60 applications had already been submitted by Bulgarian companies for support under the 60/40 job retention program. The measure is expected to be approved by Brussels by the end of the week to begin the payment of funds.

At the same time, workplace safety measures are tightening, including requirement for social distancing, disinfection.