On Monday, November 13th, a 4-hour meeting of the government coalition’s council was held. It was dedicated to the Budget 2007 project. The meeting decided that the minimum salary rise to 180 BGN next year. According to the initial budget project it was set at 170 BGN. A greater increase was supported by both Labour and Social Policy Minister Emilia Maslarova and the right-wing opposition. The right lobby demanded the minimum salary to reach 200 BGN, so that it would equal the tax exempt income for 2007 (according to the newly accepted by the Parliament Law for Taxation of the Income of Physical Persons). At present the minimum salary in Bulgaria amounts to 160 BGN. With the new amendment of the project budget its increase will be of 12, 5%.

Quote: www.mediapool.bg, Tanya Petkova