European Restructuring Monitor (ERM)
Eurofound's ERM database on restructuring-related legal regulations provides information on regulations in the Member States of the European Union and Norway which are explicitly or implicitly linked to anticipating and managing change.
Articles 228a and 228b (Labour Code); Article 22 (Law of encouragement of employment)
The employer is obliged to provide conditions for maintaining and improving the employees’ professional qualifications for the efficient performance of their duties under the employment relationship in compliance with the requirements of the performed work and their future professional development. Plans are developed in cooperation with the national employment agency. The employer is responsible for providing vocational training and upgrading employees' professional skills, especially for those who return to work after a long absence.
This subject can also be covered by collective bargaining agreements and some multi-annual plans of employment and skills development can be found in some collective agreements.
In order to meet the requirements of Article 228a and Article 228b of the Labour Code, it is necessary, in the event of an employment relationship, that the employer has handed to the employee the job description, as well as an annual plan for training, qualification and re-qualification, which determines the need for staff and through which to give orientation about the time of training and organisational, technical and financial provision.
Art. 228 (2) (new - SG 62/02/2022, in force from 01.08.2022) provides an additional employer's obligation to cover the costs for the training. By virtue of a statutory instrument, a collective agreement or an agreement to the individual employment contract, the employer is obliged to provide training to maintain and improve the professional qualifications of employees in order to perform their duties effectively in accordance with the requirements of the work performed, the training time shall be counted as working time. Whenever possible, training shall take place during the employee's established working hours.
Eurofound (2015), Bulgaria: Employers obligation to provide skill development plans or training, Restructuring legislation database, Dublin, https://apps.eurofound.europa.eu/legislationdb/employers-obligation-to-provide-skill-development-plans-or-training/bulgaria
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