Government Eases Access to Labor Market for Seasonal Workers from Third Countries.

Under the amendments, the registration period for seasonal employment will be reduced from 10 to 3 working days. The expedited procedure will apply to workers who have performed seasonal work in Bulgaria at least once during the past five years.

The changes also eliminate the requirement for applicants from third countries to submit copies of personal identification documents when applying for access to the labor market.

In addition, the process for registering seasonal workers will be decentralized. Employers will be able to submit employment registration declarations at labor offices across the country, a move expected to significantly speed up the procedure.

The adopted amendments also bring Bulgarian legislation into line with European Union law and Directive 2014/36/EU on the conditions of entry and stay of third-country nationals for the purpose of employment as seasonal workers.