January 2013 Annual Review 2012 on Labour Relations and Social Dialogue in South East Europe: Bulgaria By Plamen Dimitrov* Content Summary Socio-economic developments Governmental policies and legislation Industrial relations Tripartite social dialogue Forecasts Annex- Information about: Collective bargaining, social dialogue, social security, education& vocational training, employment, wages Trade unions and employer organizations * Plamen Dimitrov, President of the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB/KNSB) and Budget Group Member of the European Economic and Social Committee © Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Regional Project for Labour Relations and Social Dialogue in South East Europe Tadeusa Koscuska 8/5 11000 Belgrade, Serbia E-Mail: fes@fessoe.de Internet: www.fessoe.de The text is available online: www.fessoe.de The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Friedrich-Ebert­Stiftung or of the organization for which the author works. 1. Summary The expectations for“pushing off the bottom” and gradual upward economical development did not come true and according to the prevailing expert opinions our economy is in a clearly outlined situation of depression. The state of the labour market is still poor due to several reasons – decreased internal consumption, poor inflow of