Bulgarian Minister of Labor and Social Policy, Totyu Mladenov, has put forward the name of Hristina Mitreva as candidate to head the National Insurance Institute (NII).

Mitreva is currently Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Policy, a position she has held since August 2009, with particular responsibility for social security and incomes policy.

The announcement followed the resignation on Wednesday of the incumbent, Sotir Ushev, who cited personal reasons for his departure.

The Bulgarian Parliament accepted Ushev's resignation on Thursday, and will now have to approve his replacement.

"There is no point in hiding it anymore," Mitreva said in a radio interview on Friday, speaking of her nomination to the post.

"For me, this is a great compliment, which I highly appreciate," she continued. "NII is my love, because I've spent 18 years in that institute. I learned a lot as a specialist, many people helped me get to where I am now."

Mitreva confirmed that she would continue her role as an advisor to the Social Ministry, and would work to improve the communication between both institutions.

She stated that she foresaw no problems in collecting enough revenue for pensions and social benefits, despite the rise in unemployment in February.

"Certainly, there is a reduction in revenues. You know that unemployment is slightly higher in February than in January. This surge of unemployment has not yet passed, and there may even be months of higher unemployment; but there is no problem regarding benefits - they are guaranteed by the state," she affirmed.

She stated that, in discussions with trade unions and businesses, higher rates of minimum wages and minimum pensions could be negotiated.

"Of course, ways to revive the economy and stabilize the labor market will be explored, to help the lowest income groups, those with minimum pensions, minimum wages, with minimal guaranteed payments. I suppose that somewhere in May or June we will have a clearer picture of how the economy is recovering," she suggested.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!