Workers want a future in energy – they lack a vision of what the transition will look like

Workers in the energy sector in Kyustendil and Bobov Dol overwhelmingly want to keep their jobs and remain in the sector, although they are concerned about the lack of clarity about the future of the energy transition. This is according to the initial results of a survey conducted by the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB) in cooperation with the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy and the Employment Agency, presented by Ognyan Atanasov, CITUB Vice President for Green Transition.

He took part in the International Conference “Just Transition in Kyustendil.” The forum, co-funded by the European Union, was organized by Brand Media Bulgaria in partnership with the Municipality of Kyustendil, Elektrohold Bulgaria, and Bobov Dol Thermal Power Plant.

We mapped over 1,480 people – 92% of all those directly employed in the mines and the thermal power plant. For the first time, we have such a complete picture of the profile of these people – their skills, attitudes, and concerns,” said Atanasov.

The survey shows that over 82% of those surveyed do not want retraining and insist on remaining in the energy sector. “They do not want to leave the sector – they want to be trained to meet the new technological requirements,” Atanasov emphasized. However, over 57% said they were willing to upgrade their qualifications if necessary, provided they could keep their income.

The average gross salary in the sector in the region is between BGN 2,000 and BGN 3,000, with only 7% earning over BGN 3,000. The responses clearly show that when looking for a new job, workers make maintaining their current salary a condition.

Focus on real needs – not photovoltaics, but industry and stable jobs

In his speech, Atanasov sharply criticized the excessive focus on the construction of photovoltaic parks. “Stop this project from the Just Transition Fund. Enough with the photovoltaics. We will become like Spain and Portugal – they are disrupting the frequency balance,” he warned. According to the KNSB, the funds should be directed towards industrial investments that create quality jobs.

The age profile of employees is a serious problem – more than half of the workers in the sector in the region are of pre-retirement age.

Young people do not want to start working in thermal power plants. They see no future there – and this is a direct effect of the chaos surrounding the green deal,” Atanasov commented.

In this regard, the KNSB is calling for a legislative initiative to ensure that workers who have less than five years left until retirement receive 80% of their salary and 100% of their social security contributions until retirement if they are made redundant due to the closure of coal-fired power plants.

The study includes individual professional profiles and expert assessment of skills using artificial intelligence. The data is also available to investors looking for workers. Focus groups were also held with managers and employees who raised specific questions, the main one being: “What investments will come and where will the new jobs be?”

The KNSB insists that retraining should be linked to real investment intentions.

We cannot force people to retrain without knowing what for. First, there must be a vision, an industrial plan, and a clear direction,” said Atanasov.

Training based on the 4 to 4 principle – four hours of work, four hours of training

The KNSB may negotiate with the Ministry of Social Affairs the first scheme in Bulgaria under which workers will be trained during working hours – four hours at the expense of the employer and four at the expense of the Fair Transition Fund. “This is crucial because otherwise the training will remain only on paper,” Atanasov said.

Workers in the area clearly state that they expect new jobs near Bobov Dol and Dupnitsa, not just in the administrative center of Kyustendil.

There are rumors that a beer factory is being built. People say they are ready to switch from machine operators to beer production if it will secure their future,” Atanasov said.

Own business – over 200 people would try

13.7% of those surveyed said they would start their own business if they received adequate support from the state. This opens up opportunities for microfinance and entrepreneurship support programs, which are also provided for under the Just Transition Fund.

Without a plan, without a vision, and without the involvement of workers, this transition cannot be fair or successful,” Atanasov concluded. According to him, the transition in Kyustendil has potential, but clearer coordination between the state, business, municipalities, and workers is needed.”

Co-Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the Managing Authority. Neither the European Union nor the Managing Authority can be held responsible for them.

Translated with DeepL.