# Bulgaria 2026 labor budget dispute

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/bulgaria-2026-labor-budget-dispute
> Updated: 2026-08-05T12:12:48.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 3.

In late July 2026 the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions (KNSB) asked Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva to seek a Constitutional Court review of draft budget provisions that would alter the minimum‑wage mechanism and change how labour tenure is calculated. On 1 August the Ombudsman announced she would file a complaint, warning that the new senior‑time rules for part‑time work and the suspension of the automatic minimum‑wage setting could affect more than 300,000 people and breach constitutional principles.

On 5 August the Ombudsman formally submitted a request to the Constitutional Court to declare the two provisions unconstitutional. The Court opened the case and will consider the complaint alongside parallel challenges from the GERB party and the “Continue the Change” coalition. The outcome could reshape wage‑setting and seniority rules for a large segment of Bulgaria’s workforce.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-05: Bulgarian Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva challenges wage and seniority reforms in Constitutional Court

Bulgarian Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva asks the Constitutional Court to strike down 2026 budget provisions on seniority calculation and minimum‑wage setting, citing risks to part‑time and vulnerable workers.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgarian-ombudsman-velislava-delcheva-challenges-wage-and-seniority-reforms-in-constitutional-court

### 2026-08-01: Bulgarian Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva challenges 2026 labor budget changes

Bulgarian Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva will petition the Constitutional Court to block 2026 budget reforms on part‑time seniority and minimum‑wage calculation, saying they affect over 300,000 people and lack a

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgarian-ombudsman-velislava-delcheva-challenges-2026-labor-budget-changes

### 2026-07-24: Bulgarian Trade Union Confederation Urges Ombudsman to Refer Minimum Wage Bill to Constitutional Court

Bulgarian trade union confederation asks ombudsman to refer 2026 budget provisions on minimum wage and labour tenure to the Constitutional Court, citing constitutional breach.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgarian-trade-union-confederation-urges-ombudsman-to-refer-minimum-wage-bill-to-constitutional-cou

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Cite as: Bulgaria 2026 labor budget dispute. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/bulgaria-2026-labor-budget-dispute