Public transport workers staged a protest in central Sofia on Monday, demanding higher wages and improved working conditions, bringing traffic in the Bulgarian capital to a standstill during the morning rush hour.
The demonstration, organised by trade unions, began at 8:00 a.m. with the blockade of three major intersections: Orlov Most, the junction near Vasil Levski National Stadium, and Macedonia Square. Protesters then marched to the Ministry of Finance, erecting a symbolic ladder marked “Dialogue” to highlight their call for negotiations.
The protest continued in front of Sofia Municipality, where workers demanded a meeting with municipal and finance ministry representatives. No talks were held.
Transport workers from the cities of Ruse and Varna also joined the action. Unions estimate that an increase in state subsidies is needed to meet demands—29 million levs ($15.8 million) for Sofia, 6.5 million for Varna, 700,000 for Ruse, and 4.5 million for the Automobile Administration Agency. Protesters are seeking a minimum wage hike of 400 levs ($218) per worker.
“It’s shameful that every year we have to protest for basic things like decent pay and working conditions,” said Miroslav Chakurov, a transport worker.
Trade union representatives called for a total of 400 million levs in funding for urban transport systems across Sofia, Ruse, Varna, and the transport administration.
In a statement, the Finance Ministry said responsibility for wage decisions and municipal company financing lies with local governments. It noted that Sofia Municipality’s subsidy for public transport in the 2025 state budget has increased by 17 million levs to a total of 106 million.
Sofia Deputy Mayor for Finance Ivan Vasilev addressed the protesters, stating that the city has proposed a 15-million-lev increase, equivalent to just over 100 levs per worker. He said the municipality lacks sufficient funds to meet the full demand and called for cooperation with the central government.
Municipal councilor Vanya Grigorova of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) joined the protest, accusing officials of lacking political will. “If our demands are not met, we’re ready for a full strike that could halt all public transport in the capital,” she said.
