Glavchev supports offshoring migrant centers
Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev told journalists he supports the idea of accommodating migrants and refugees at offshore centers. Addressing a Europen Council meeting in Brussels, Glavchev cited Italy and Albania as countries which have incorporated such centers to host migrants. The topic of offshore migrant centers is set to be further discussed by European leaders.
The support comes amidst growing public calls from right-wing parties to do more to block migrants. The Bulgarian-Turkish border has experienced a relatively calm few months compared to last year's heightened activity and migration pressure in the first nine months of 2024 is 70% lower than during the same period last year, Glavchev said.
Redundancies increase this year
The economic slowdown across Europe and rising labor costs are forcing local employers to cut staff. The number of companies planning mass layoffs, as well as the number of workers set to be dismissed, has increased this year, according to data from the Employment Agency (EA).
As expected, the increase in the minimum wage has hit low-paid sectors like the textile industry. However, even high-paying sectors like the IT industry have been affected, with several international companies deciding to cease or significantly reduce operations in Bulgaria. The largest impact is in Pleven, where about 1,300 people are losing their jobs after the automotive cable manufacturer Leoni announced the closure of its plant.
Nationwide BG-Alert Test fails to reach most users
Today's scheduled national test of the BG-Alert system passed by with almost no one receiving the test alert. According to a poll on Nova TV's website more than 96% of respondents said their phones did not signal an alert. In another poll conducted in the popular Facebook group "Polozhenieto e Maiko Mila 2.0", 92% of voters reported not receiving the alert.
The issue stemmed from phone settings, a detail that authorities failed to communicate was needed in advance. It wasn't until this morning, just hours before the test, that the Interior Ministry's advisor and former fire chief, Nikolay Nikolov, urged citizens to check if the Test service for BG-Alert was activated on their phones.
Glavchev supports offshoring migrant centers
Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev told journalists he supports the idea of accommodating migrants and refugees at offshore centers. Addressing a Europen Council meeting in Brussels, Glavchev cited Italy and Albania as countries which have incorporated such centers to host migrants. The topic of offshore migrant centers is set to be further discussed by European leaders.
