What will the miners do after the phased closure of the mines and the separation from the thermal power plants? It seems like there is already an answer. It may not be definitive, but it is a good starting point for the difficult and painful retraining of thousands of workers in the mining industry sector in the Marijampole complex. And not only that.
The answer comes from Mini Maritsa-Iztok itself and gives hope that the difficult process of retraining employees and workers has at least partially begun.
From the Public Procurement Agency (PPA) register, it is clear that the management of the coal company is actively preparing for this process, which is positive against the backdrop of the mass rejection of reforms in the sector.
However, the numbers do not lie and show that the mines' losses will continue to grow (at -270 million levs for 2024 alone), as they are highly dependent on their main partner, Maritsa-East 2 TPP, whose activities are almost at a standstill. Work also decreased significantly after the long-term contract between ContourGlobal Maritsa-East 3 and NEK expired at the beginning of 2024. The shutdown of the plant mainly affected the activities of the Troyanovo 3 mine, whose client was the American plant. It employs about 1,700 people, while the three mines of Maritsa-East Mines - Troyanovo-1, Troyanovo-North and Troyanovo-3 - employ a total of about 6,400 people (for 2024). Now some of them will gradually have to think about other jobs.
From fitter to forester
The state mines have published a series of tenders related to the retraining of miners. Companies are being sought to train workers and employees from the mines bearing in mind their interest in some new professions but in most cases with similar qualifications. The latest order was published in early May and provides for the conduct of courses in the professions of hoisting and transport equipment fitter, construction fitter and plumber. It is for almost 780,000 levs excluding VAT. A total of almost 340 people will be trained, with most of them being directed to the fitter and hoisting and transport equipment with electric drive (156 people). A lower number will be trained in the specialty "External and internal plumbing networks". Significantly, some of the miners will also receive qualifications in how to renovate - 130 people will be directed to the specialties "metal structures" and "insulations in construction".On the one hand, this is good, given that the rehabilitation continues despite the uncertainties of financing and payments from the Recovery and Resilience Plan. But in terms of pay, the profession is not very lucrative - the average salary is 2023 levs gross (NSI, March 2025, Construction sector). For the Water and Sewerage sector, the NSI data are also not very motivating - the average basic salary for March is 1876 levs, which means that after taxes it can get very close to the minimum.
RES or small business?
With another order (for 1.3 million levs excluding VAT), the mines will train nearly 400 more people to become electricians and technicians of energy facilities and installations with an RES profile. Apart from that, there will also be training for other roles: technician and fitter of agricultural machinery, forestry technician, forester, chemical technologist, laboratory assistant, and ceramic production worker, etc. The order is for just over 770, 000 levs excluding VAT, and about 280 people will attend the courses. With an order for 207,000 levs excluding VAT, a company is being sought to train 156 people on how to do business. The tender is divided into three positions - entrepreneurship, assistant in small and medium-sized businesses or assistant in business services.It is not clear whether the courses are a wishlist or not. Despite the skepticism of many, however, it turns out that there is interest in the courses. A report prepared for "Capital" by the Ministry of Social Affairs shows the attitude of workers and employees from the mines. And it is somewhat encouraging. About 43% of the workers who will be affected by the Green Transition in Pernik want to participate in training to acquire qualifications or retraining. In the Kyustendil district, the motivation to participate in training is even greater - about 55% would go to courses, according to the ministry's data. They are part of the so-called mapping of the skills and attitudes for professional development of those employed in the mines, summarized by Ivaylo Ivanov's department in partnership with the two unions, the Confederation of Bulgarian Trade Unions (KITUB) and the Podkrepa Confederation of Trade Unions (KT). There is no summarized report for Stara Zagora yet - it will be finalized and published in the fall.
The professions indicated by the miners coincide with the upcoming courses of "Mini Maritsa-Iztok" - solar panel and structure installer, wind generator maintenance, construction activities, etc. The Ministry of Social Affairs reports that in general the respondents express a desire to work in the energy sector and are ready for retraining in the field of green energy production, if this would preserve their employment in the sector. However, the salaries will probably differ from those they currently receive, and this could prove problematic.
About 6,400 people work in the state-owned Maritsa-East Mines alone, for whom a number of employment alternatives have been sought over the years, without any proving viable so far. Last year, for example, an option was proposed for about 1,700 people from the mines and Maritsa-East 2 TPP to enter an early retirement program. Then it was proposed that those approaching retirement could take up to five years of paid leave at the expense of the state and receive 80% of their gross salary, as well as full social security benefits. As for salaries, they are periodically "subsidized" by the state, given the difficult financial situation of Maritsa-East Mines, which continue to accumulate losses.
So far, none of these scenarios are in the works. However, time is running out to find a working model for restructuring the sector, and it is clear that state-owned mines are aware of this. It is not an easy task to convince thousands of miners with many years of experience that now is the time to develop their own business or start installing insulation. But the labor market is dynamic and almost everyone has had to look for another development option at some point in their lives. And with the rapid development of batteries and renewable energy capacities, new water supply and sewage projects and water cycles, along with the niche of sanitation, the time for retraining is indeed now.
What will the miners do after the phased closure of the mines and the separation from the thermal power plants? It seems like there is already an answer. It may not be definitive, but it is a good starting point for the difficult and painful retraining of thousands of workers in the mining industry sector in the Marijampole complex. And not only that.
The answer comes from Mini Maritsa-Iztok itself and gives hope that the difficult process of retraining employees and workers has at least partially begun.
