EU finds critical gaps in local adult training, digital skills, and child poverty
The European Commission has labeled the state of adult education, computer skills, and child poverty in Bulgaria as "critical" in a report on the EU labor market published today.
The document claims that Bulgaria's levels of adult education and digital literacy are among the lowest in the EU, while the percentage of children at risk of poverty is the highest.
Fewer than 10% of Bulgarians participate in general or professional training after graduation, compared to an average of 39.5% in the EU. In terms of computer skills, only 35.5% of Bulgarians are digitally literate, significantly below the EU average of 55.6%.
The European Commission emphasized that Bulgaria must make "significant efforts" to improve these two indicators, which are crucial for the labor market if the country wants to remain a competitive part of the EU market.
Bulgarian-led gang arrested in Germany
An organized crime group, primarily consisting of Bulgarians, has been apprehended for stealing power cables from German railways, construction sites, and warehouses. The operation was conducted as part of an international effort coordinated by Europol and Eurojust. The total value of the stolen cables exceeds 1 million euros, according to the Varna Prosecutor's Office.
Yesterday, searches were carried out in both Germany and Bulgaria, targeting private properties and vehicles - in Bulgaria alone, 24 addresses and 6 vehicles were searched, and nine individuals were questioned. Five men, subject to European arrest warrants issued by German authorities, were detained. In Germany, three additional suspects were arrested.
Numerous mobile phones, SIM cards, documents, and other items were confiscated. The five detained in Bulgaria are being held for up to 72 hours before being extradited to German authorities.
Electricity price hike sparks debate over potential price moratorium
The proposed 8.99% increase in household electricity prices, set to take effect on January 1, 2025, has become a political nightmare, raising the possibility of a moratorium similar to one imposed several years ago.
Such measures would freeze prices not only for household electricity but also for water, which is also expected to increase. The moratorium would be valid until the end of March.
While politically appealing, the potential price freeze is viewed as a populist move. Experts warn that artificially suppressing electricity prices is neither feasible nor sustainable, as it could create new deficits in the energy sector. These deficits would eventually burden taxpayers in other forms, such as multi-billion subsidies for coal mines and power plants.
EU finds critical gaps in local adult training, digital skills, and child poverty
The European Commission has labeled the state of adult education, computer skills, and child poverty in Bulgaria as "critical" in a report on the EU labor market published today.
