IT S UP TO YOU TO PUT DISCRIMINATION OUT OF USE! JUST/2012/PROG/AG/3711/AD. Ministry of Labour and Social Policy of Bulgaria FINAL REPORT

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1 FINAL REPORT PROJECT JUST/2012/PROG/AG/3711 IT S UP TO YOU TO PUT DISCRIMINATION OUT OF USE! OF THE MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL POLICY OF THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA MODULE I Round Tables for young men and women from homes for children deprived of parental care, employers, and representatives of the local selfgovernments, recruitment agencies and representatives of the central administration under the slogan "Tolerance, Respect, Understanding and Equality in the Workplace" Preparation and Holding of Round Table in the town of Sandanski From 20 to 21 March 2014, a Round Table was held in Sveti Nikola Hotel in the town of Sandanski under Project JUST/2012/PROG/AG/AD/3711 It s up to you to put discrimination out of use! of the funded by the EC under the Programme EU PROGRESS. The Round Table was attended by young men and women from homes for children deprived of parental care (HCDPC), employers, representatives of the local self-governments, recruitment agencies and representatives of the central administration. Before the beginning of the event a team of speakers and employment agents from the Employment Agency made contact with employers in Blagoevgrad District to discuss the opportunities for employment of the young graduates from the HCDPC and for their participation in the Round Table. The following employers expressed willingness to create jobs depending on the qualifications and aspirations of the youth and to participate in the Round Table: Energoremont - Kresna AD - Metal Casting Activity Piros Ltd - town of Sandanski - Clothing Industry Activity Bor Dimitrov 06 EOOD - town of Sandanski - Woodworking Activity Mariya Dimitrova - Meri Sole Trader - town of Blagoevgrad - Catering Industry Activity Liliya Jo EOOD - town of Blagoevgrad - Trade Activity. All employers were personally given a formal notice to which they responded with interest and desire. Representatives of the municipalities and Social Assistance Directorates (SAD) in the region were officially invited and attended the Round Table.

2 The meeting was also attended by 25 young graduates from the social institutions in the region accompanied by social workers and by officials from the Labour Office Directorates (LOD) which territories housed a social institution and which worked actively with the youth on their career development. Before the beginning of the event a modular training programme which was an integral part of the report was developed. A presentation on the topic "Promoting the Diversity and Non-discrimination in the Labour Market and Characteristics of the South West Region in terms of the Need for Employment" was made at the Round Table. Discussions of case studies related to the topic were made. In addition, all LOD officials shared their good practices implemented in this and previous years with the young graduates from the HCDPC. On 21 March the youth from the social institutions and the other participants in the Round Table visited the following employers: Piros Ltd - town of Sandanski - Clothing Industry Activity Bor Dimitrov 06 EOOD - town of Sandanski - Woodworking Activity Interhotel Sandanski - Hotel Industry Activity The visits were arranged in advance. The visit of each company lasted 1 hour. The time was spent for review and introduction to the company's activities. Mr. Volodya Stoyanov, director of Piros Ltd, personally presented the company's activities and showed all workshops. The company produces knitted garment. The production is mainly exported; only a little part thereof is traded in the domestic market. Mr. Stoyanov expressed willingness to employ a youth from HCDPC. Mr. Iliya Dimitrov also presented in person the activities of his company which produces wood and PVC furniture. The company operates in the foreign markets. Mr. Dimitrov was very friendly and said that he would be very pleased if some of the youth started to work in the company. All participants in the Round Table had the opportunity to visit Interhotel Sandanski. It offers hotel services and spa treatments. The opportunity for direct communication between the youth and employers at the Round Table and during their visits to the companies was extremely useful and effective. They received valuable information about the companies' activities and became aware of the terms and conditions and specifics of the work. The youth had the opportunity to personally present themselves to the employers, to receive the information needed and to negotiate their employment opportunities. Gyurgya Vladimirova Stoyanova from Petar Dimitrov HCDPC in the village of Parvomay will apply to South-West University of Blagoevgrad and if she is enrolled she will spend her free time looking for a job in the town of Blagoevgrad. As a result of these meetings Gyurgya Vladimirova Stoyanova was employed in Liliya Jo EOOD - town of Blagoevgrad and Denis Georgiev Chamishki from HCDPC in the town of Blagoevgrad was employed in Energoremont - Kresna AD.

3 Thirteen of the 16 youth from Asen Zlatarov HCDPC in the town of Yakorouda shared their desire to apply to university. Depending on whether or not they are enrolled in the university they will consider the jobs which they will seek. Three of the youth who do not plan to apply to university will be directed to employment programmes or measures upon their graduation. This was decided after a conversation with the management of Yakorouda Municipality. One of the youth showed interest in joining the training organised by Bulgarian- German Vocational Training Centre, speciality Hairdressing. Two of the young graduates from the HCDPC in the town of Gotse Delchev will start working in Malev EOOD and Pirintex Production EOOD upon their graduation. Conversations with Petar Mingov Sole Trader, Vanita EOOD and Ivan Ezhkov Sole Trader were made. The companies are willing to employ youth who show interest in the work under employment programmes and measures. One of the girls is 17 years old and will be placed in sheltered housing in the town of Novi Iskar. The experience shows that every year, thanks to the sponsors of the HCDPC, all young people prepare themselves for their prom and the employers willingly give a hand to these young people and employ them by advertising jobs in the primary labour market or under employment programmes and measures. In 2013, eleventh youth from the social care homes in the region completed secondary education. Five of them continued their education in a university. Two youth were employed under National Programme "From Social Benefits to Employment" and four youth were employed on jobs advertised in the primary labour market through the support of the labour offices. The youth will be invited to participate in the Youth Job Fair which will be organised in June in the town of Blagoevgrad and in the planned general job fairs which will be organised in the town of Gotse Delchev in June and in the town of Razlog in September, where the youth will also have the opportunity to meet and talk with employers. The tutors and psychologists in the social institutions should focus on the learning of work habits by the young people, since large part of them leave work and wish to be directed to another employer after being employed. Extremely important and useful is the collaboration with the SAD officials in the work with the youth from social care homes. They support the youth in their placement in residential housing and work with them during their stay in the social institutions. The work with the youth will continue in the future in order to support their career development and their involvement in free vocational training. Characteristics of the South West Region in terms of the Need for Employment Blagoevgrad District In the recent years the total number of population in the area has shown a trend toward gradual decrease. As of 2011, it includes 323,552 inhabitants and represents 4.39% of the population in the country. The economically active population is 151,033 people. The following LODs and their branch offices operate in Blagoevgrad administrative district: LOD - Blagoevgrad with a branch office in the municipality of Simitli; LOD - Razlog with branch

4 offices in the municipalities of Belitsa, Yakorouda and Bansko, LOD - Gotse Delchev with branch offices in the municipalities of Garmen, Hadzhidimovo and Satovcha, LOD- Sandanski with branch offices in the municipalities of Kresna and Strumyani and LOD- Petrich. The labour offices and their branch offices serve the adjoining localities. In the first quarter of 2014 the average monthly unemployment rate in the region of Blagoevgrad is 15.3%. The indicator has increased by 0.4 % compared to its value % - reported in the same period of In the recent years, the trend toward higher unemployment rate in the total number of unemployed registered with the labour offices has remained unchanged in the LOD - Razlog (29.4%) and LOD - Kyustendil (16.5%) and in the other LODs the unemployment rate is below the average for the region - LOD - Blagoevgrad (10.2%); LOD - Gotse Delchev (14.4%); LOD - Dupnitsa (12.9%), LOD - Sandanski (14.3%) and LOD - Petrich (14.2%). Youth aged up to 29 In the first quarter of 2014, the average monthly number of unemployed youth aged up to 29 registered with the labour offices is 6,131; it has decreased compared to the number reported in the same period of the previous year by 413 persons (6.3%). The majority of unemployed youth have primary or lower education and no qualifications. In the first quarter of 2014, the efforts of the labour offices in the region were aimed at reducing the youth unemployment by implementing incentives and employment programmes for their job placement and better realisation in the labour market. The inclusion of the young people in employment through the National Youth Guarantee Implementation Plan is a good alternative to the beginning of their career development. The most popular professions sought by the employers from Blagoevgrad region during the period are cooks, bartenders, waiters, hotel receptionists, builders, tailors, etc. The companies in the region develop their business mainly in the clothing industry and in the area of construction and tourism. In the first quarter of 2014, 2,977 persons from Blagoevgrad district are employed; 1,891 of them have found a job in the primary labour market, 156 are employed based on measures under the Employment Promotion Act (EPA) and 366 of them are employed under employment programmes. Feedback from the questionnaires filled in upon completion of the Round Table in the town of Sandanski under the project It s up to you to put discrimination out of use! The participants in the Round Table were proposed to fill in a questionnaire containing 13 questions, which completion was anonymous and voluntary. The questionnaire was completed by 41 persons: 5 of them were employers, 12 - representatives of state institutions, 23 - young people (students) and one of them - representative of the local authority.

5 The discrimination occurs in the case of formal or informal division of the people into distinct groups based on a common ground, such as race, ethnicity, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, etc. where they are given or withdrawn certain rights, obligations and opportunities depending on the group to which they belong. The division of the people into groups based on a certain rational ground, however, is not considered as discrimination. All participants in the Round Table, excluding eight students, who filled in the questionnaire answered to the first question that they were aware of the existence of discrimination on all grounds. In terms of the second question: "Do you think that the Bulgarian legislation provides equal opportunities for all citizens of the Republic?", 4 employers gave positive answers and one respondent answered that the legislation provided for these opportunities but they were not used in practice. Seven of the representatives of state institutions gave positive answers and five answered that the legislation did not provide equal opportunities for all Bulgarian citizens. The answers of the youth were also interesting: 11 of them gave positive answers, 10 indicated the answer "No" and 2 indicated the answer "Partially". The representative of the local authority gave a positive answer. The more developed is the discriminatory attitude the more rarely it is limited to a negative attitude due to only one ground. In this sense, the multiple discrimination may be defined as unequal treatment or disadvantaging based on multiple actual or alleged protected grounds of the affected persons or their related persons. This is possible, since each of the protected grounds characterizes certain aspect of the identity or personal and social functions of the people. For this reason, the inequality on any of them does not exclude the disadvantage on any other ground. In terms of the third question: "Do you know what multiple discrimination means?" the answers were distributed, as follows: Two employers gave negative answers and three employers only heard about the multiple discrimination and were not familiar. Five of the representatives of state institutions gave positive answers and seven only heard about the multiple discrimination, but were not familiar. Only one student gave a positive answer, 11 students gave negative answers and 11 students only heard about the multiple discrimination, but were not familiar. The representative of the local authority also gave a negative answer. In terms of the fourth question "In your opinion, on which ground discrimination occurs most often in the course of your work?" 18 youth did not answer to the question, 3 youth indicated the discrimination on ground of age, 1 youth indicated the discrimination on ground of sex and 2 youth indicated the discrimination on grounds of religion and race, respectively. Two employers did not answer to the question, 2 employers indicated the ethnic origin, 1 employer indicated the disability and 1 employer indicated all grounds. Four of the representatives of state institutions did not answer to the question, 2 representatives indicated the age, family responsibilities and health problems, 1 representative indicated the sexual orientation and 5 representatives indicated the ethnic origin as grounds of discrimination. The representative of the local authority also did not answer to the question.

6 In terms of the fifth question: "In your opinion, which is the area where discrimination most often occurs in the course of your work?", almost all youth (20) did not answer to the question, 2 of them indicated the answers "At work" and "The height of the person", respectively, and 1 youth indicated the race. Two employers did not answer to the question and three employers indicated the area of trade and services, all areas and ethnic origin and disability, respectively. Seven of the representatives of state institutions did not answer to the question, 3 representatives indicated the answer "At the employment" and 3 representatives indicated the answers "Religion", "In school" and "On the street", respectively. The representative of the local authority did not answer to the question. In terms of the sixth question: "Do you think that all citizens of the Republic of Bulgaria should have equal opportunities in all areas of the social, economic and political life?" the answers were distributed, as follows: all employers gave positive answers and only one of the representatives of state institutions gave a negative answer, while the others gave positive answers, as well. Nineteen youth gave also positive answers, while 4 youth gave negative ones. The representative of the local authority gave a positive answer. In terms of the seventh question: "Do you think that the Bulgarian legislation provides equal opportunities for all?" three employers gave positive answers and two employers gave negative ones. Six of the representatives of state institutions gave positive answers, 4 representatives gave negative answers and in the opinion of two representatives left a lot to be desired and not all employers complied with the law. The majority of the respondents (14 persons) gave negative answers and only 4 respondents gave positive answers, while the others answered that sometimes the employers complied with the law, but not completely. The representative of the local authority gave a positive answer. In terms of the eight question: "Do you think that the citizens of our country are equally paid for equal work?" almost all respondents gave negative answers and only 4 youth and 1 representative of state institutions gave positive answers. In terms of the ninth question: "Do you think that the information obtained during the workshop makes you think about the attitude to the different people (your and the institution where you work?)" almost all respondents gave positive answers, only 1 youth and 2 representatives of state institutions gave negative answers and one of them answered that in his opinion all people were equal, regardless of the differences. The representative of the local authority gave a positive answer. In terms of the tenth question: "Does the workshop meet your expectations?" almost all respondents indicated that the workshop met their expectations, while 1 employer, 3 representatives of state institutions and 7 youth indicated the answer "Not at all". The representative of the local authority gave a positive answer. In terms of the eleventh question: "Would you like to participate in another workshop and if so - what are the issues which best interest you?" all representatives of state institutions and almost all employers and youth answered that they would participate in another workshop, and only 1 employer and 7 youth gave negative answers. The representative of the local authority gave a positive answer.

7 In terms of the twelfth question: "Do you think that it is worth sharing with your colleagues / friends what you have learned at the workshop?" nine youth did not answer to the question and the others answered that they would share what they had learned, since the more people knew about these problems, the more youth would be given an opportunity for employment, because the information that they received was interesting and useful and because the others might think about how to behave with the "different" people; some of the respondents answered that the discussion of the problem always led to decision-making and that the information would be helpful. Three representatives of state institutions did not answer to the question and the others answered that they would share what they had learned with the others in order to be informed, since we all have to be tolerant and all people should have equal rights and because the information was useful and therefore the experience gained should be shared. One employer did not answer, another one would not share the experience with the others and the others would share what they had learned since the information obtained was beneficial. The representative of the local authority would disseminate the information obtained, but did not state the reason thereof. In terms of the thirteenth question "How do you evaluate the speakers - do you have any recommendations on the manner in which they have provided the information?" thirteen youth did not answer to the question and the others evaluated the information as very good, useful, interesting and comprehensive and had no recommendations to the speakers. Three employers did not answer and the others said that the information of the speakers was useful and was presented in the best way. Only one representative of state institution did not answer to the question. The others indicated that the information received was sufficiently comprehensive and was presented in the best way and that the organisation was very good, even perfect, for which they thanked. The only recommendation is to divide the module into two modules, one for the youth and one for the other participants, and to introduce them in a different time, since the level of awareness of the participants on the issue of discrimination is different. The representative of the local authority did not answer to the question. The results of the survey show that the Round Table has been successfully completed under conditions of excellent organisation and that the information received has been useful and the participants will share it with other people. Almost all respondents are willing to participate in other similar workshops to enrich their knowledge of the topics discussed. The participants said that all citizens of our country should have equal opportunities in all areas of the social, economic and political life. Characteristics of the South East Region in terms of the Labour Market The South East Region covers the districts of Burgas, Yambol and Sliven. The region has an area of 1,465 square kilometres and constitutes 13.2% of the territory of the country. 10% of the population lives there. We can definitely say that the whole region gravitates towards the Black Sea. The free access to the Black Sea defines its favourable transport and economic position which is mainly directed to Burgas regional centre.

8 The Black Sea coast favours the development of various types of tourism. The Burgas and Tundzha lowlands offer favourable soil and climatic conditions for the development of the agriculture. The share of the trade, services and manufacturing industry in the labour market is significant. At the end of April 2014, the unemployment rate reported is, as follows: - For Burgas District %; - For Yambol District %; - For Sliven District %. The relative share of the unemployed youth aged up to 29 broken down by districts is, as follows: - For Burgas District %; - For Yambol District %; - For Sliven District %. The children deprived of parental care in the region are covered by: - Yuriy Gagarin HCDPC - town of Yambol; - Mariya Roza HCDPC - village of Asenovets, district of Sliven; - Protected Home for People at Risk - city of Burgas; - Social Educational and Professional Centre (SEPC) - village of Bata, district of Burgas. The young job seekers are given opportunities for realisation in the labour market with the assistance of the LODs through: - The job vacancies advertised by the real sector in the primary market - unsubsidised employment; - The various schemes (First Job, New Job, etc.) under Operational Programme Human Resources Development. One of the main objectives of the schemes is to achieve higher levels of employment among the people and to increase the social inclusion; - Employment incentives under the EPA and national programmes and projects; - European Youth Guarantee. The purpose of this tool is to give an opportunity to the young people to receive a good job offer, continuing education / training, apprenticeship or qualification up to 4 months upon completion of their education or after losing their job, to reduce the number of discouraged young people and to return them back into the labour market. In April 2014, the number of youth aged up to 29 employed in the primary market is: - For Burgas District - 187; - For Yambol District - 57; - For Sliven District During the month the following number of youth is employed through subsidised employment: - For Burgas District - 97; - For Yambol District - 26; - For Sliven District - 19.

9 During the same period of time the number of youth dropped out of registration with the LOD due to failure to meet the recommendations of the employment agent is, as follows: - For Burgas District - 211; - For Yambol District - 108; - For Sliven District Prior to the holding of the Round Table in the city of Burgas contacts with the director of the HCDPC, social officer in charge of the youth from the social institution graduating this year and the youth themselves were made. Their future plans, desires, opportunities and professional skills were previously discussed. Profiles of all young people were created for the purpose of their better presentation to the employer in the job seeking. Similar to all inexperienced young job seekers they needed assistance in preparing the curriculum vitae. Contacts with the directors of Protected Home for People at Risk - city of Burgas and SEPC - village of Bata, Pomorie Municipality, whose graduates were beneficiaries under the project, were made. The Round Table was attended by two youth from Burgas and six youth from the village of Bata. In addition, individual meetings with the two youth from the city of Burgas and 21 youth from the village of Bata were held to clarify their opportunities, skills, desires and attitudes for professional development. The information collected was used as a basis for making additional conversations with other employers. The companies Marina Cape Management EOOD, Filipovi AD and Active - 02 Ltd showed great understanding and willingness to support the youth. During the conversations the three employers shared their commitment to the problems of these young people, desire to help and willingness to employ representatives of the target group. At this stage, after preliminary discussions and conducting interviews with the young people who has expressed a desire to work an arrangement for employment of six youths - two from the city of Burgas and four from the SEPC - village of Bata - has been made. They will start to work upon completion of the school year. Perhaps later on other young people will also start to work. Subsequently meetings with employers were held. They were aimed at the proactive offering of jobs to the young graduates. Some employers definitely expressed their inability to employ workers without professional experience at the first conversation. Other employers only agreed with the need for support in the early social adaptation of this young people but did not express willingness to further work with them. Ms. Petkova, director of the company Bi Auto EOOD where a boy from a social institution was currently working, expressed sympathy to the cause. The representatives of the company Hegra D EOOD also expressed willingness to employ youth from the target group. The youth from HCDPC - Yambol visited the office of Mrs. Boncheva, Executive Director of Industrial Association -Yambol, to discuss their attitudes, expectations and opportunities for employment.

10 Mr. Kaloyan Kalimanov, representative of Bima - Ivanka Hristova Sole Trader and former alumnus of a social institution, also took an active part. Over the years lots of young people like him have started their working career in the company. At the Youth Job Fair organised by LOD - Yambol contacts with representatives of Duni Holiday Village were made. The youth from the social institution were invited to attend the Youth Job Fair. The meeting of the employers of Duni Holiday Village with the girls from HCDPC - Yambol ended with a proposal for their employment for the season immediately after the graduation of the girls in early June. The same proposal was made to the young graduates from Mariya Roza HCDPC - village of Asenovets. These young people sent their CV directly to Mrs. Krasimira Ivanova - manager of Duni HV - who committed to employ them for the season upon completion of the school year. The representatives of the non-governmental organisations Demetra Association, Ravnovesie Association, Regional Roma Union and Usmivka Association were actively working to support the youth from the target group and, if possible, they also employed them. A representative of Port of Burgas EAD attended the Round Table. He shared the company experience in working with youth from social institutions. Currently a young man is working in the company. Some employers apologized that they were unable to attend the Round Table, but expressed their willingness to employ the interested youth. These were Duni AD and Burgastsvet-90-Tanev EOOD. Besides representatives of the employers, the Round Table was attended by representatives of other institutions engaged with the problems of the youth from the social institutions - representatives of SADs and LODs in the South East Region and a representative of the Commission for Protection against Discrimination (CPAD) - city of Burgas. At the end at least 10 youth were employed. Although some of the young people will be employed only for the season, the job will enable them to assess the appropriateness of the choice of their professional development, to gain initial experience, to prove themselves to the employers and to rely on future support and assistance from them. Feedback from the questionnaires filled in upon completion of the Round Table in the city of Burgas under the project It s up to you to put discrimination out of use! The questionnaire contained 13 questions and was offered for completion to the participants in the Round Table under the project "It s up to you to put discrimination out of use! which was held on 25 and 26 March 2014 in the city of Burgas. The questionnaire was anonymous and voluntary. 38 persons, including 29 women and 9 men, of all attendees of the Round Table filled in the questionnaire. These were 23 representatives of state institutions, 3 employers, 4 NGO representatives, 6 students, 1 representative of the local government, one other participant and a participant who did not identify himself. In terms of the first question - "Did you have any idea of the existence of discrimination on all grounds?", 33 persons answered "Yes" and 5 persons answered "No".

11 This speaks about the fact that the Round Table is attended by people who are directly related to the issue of discrimination. In terms of the second question - "Do you think that the Bulgarian legislation provides equal opportunities for all citizens of the Republic?", 21 persons gave positive answers and 17 persons gave negative ones. A person who indicated the answer "Yes" commented that the legislation was effective but not observed. In terms of the third question - "Do you know what multiple discrimination means?", 12 of the answers were positive, 8 - negative and 18 participants in the Round Table answered that they only heard about the multiple discrimination and were not familiar. The participants say that they receive information about the multiple discrimination: from their work which is related to the topic - 3 participants; from the presentation of the Round Table - 2 participants; from the literature - 3 participants; from the legislation - 2 participants; from the media and internet - 1 participant; one of the participants works for the CPAD. In terms of the fourth question "In your opinion, discrimination on which ground occurs most often in the course of your work?", 12 persons did not answer and the others answered, as follows: on ground of the age - 6 respondents; on ground of the disability - 3 respondents; on ground of the sex - 3 respondents; on ground of the ethnicity - 8 children from social institutions and 2 respondents; on ground of the race - 1 respondent and on ground of the appearance - 2 respondents. Five respondents indicated that there was discrimination on more than one grounds in their workplaces. In terms of the fifth question - "In your opinion, which is the area where discrimination most often occurs in the course of your work?", 19 persons did not answer and the others answered, as follows: 6 persons indicated the answer "Discrimination in employment"; 3 persons indicated the answer "Discrimination in the area of the social services" and 2 persons indicated the answer "Discrimination in the trade". In terms of the sixth question "Do you think that all citizens of the Republic of Bulgaria should have equal opportunities in all areas of the social, economic and political life?", 34 persons gave unanimous answer "Yes", 3 persons answered "No" and one person did not answer. "Do you think that the Bulgarian legislation provides equal opportunities for all?" was the question to which the respondents gave 17 answers "Yes" and 17 answers "No". Three persons did not answer and one person answered that it would be good to synchronise the law in theory and its practical implementation. The answers to the eighth question "Do you think that the citizens of our country are equally paid for equal work?" raised concerns, since 29 respondents thought that the payment was not equal, 8 respondents thought that the payment was adequate and 1 respondent did not answer. In terms of the ninth question "Do you think that the information obtained during the workshop makes you think about the attitude to the different people (your and the institution where you work?)", 35 persons gave positive answers, 2 persons did not answer and one respondent stated that he was working in a field that made him constantly think about this. The number of positive answers to this question gives us a reason to conclude that the topic of

12 the Round Table has reached the participants and that they will work even harder to the adoption of the different people and non-discrimination. The workshop fully met the expectations of 32 persons, 4 persons were not completely satisfied, the workshop did not meet the expectations of one person and one person did not answer. (Tenth question - "Does the workshop meet your expectations?") In terms of the eleventh question - "Would you like to participate in another workshop and if so - what are the issues which best interest you?", 35 respondents expressed willingness to participate in such workshops on other topics, as the topics which they indicated were various and sometimes did not relate to the main topic: - Discrimination on grounds of age and ethnicity - 3 respondents; - Institutional care for children - 2 respondents; - Diversity of the labour market - 2 respondents; - Improving the public attitudes toward the differences; - Equal rights and decent pay in employment; - Measures to prevent discrimination in employment - 2 respondents; - Meetings of the workers and employers; - Creating an operating economy; - Discussion of specific case studies and decision-making. Three respondents gave negative answers to the question. In terms of the twelfth question - "Do you think that it is worth sharing with your colleagues / friends what you have learned at the workshop?", 29 persons gave positive answers, as some of them indicated the REASON THEREOF: - In the opinion of 11 respondents the information is very useful and therefore it is worth sharing it; - In the opinion of 5 respondents the work on this topic is a part of their daily activities and therefore it is important to share it with their colleagues; - In the opinion of 4 respondents the sharing of the experience may contribute to attracting more people sympathetic to the problem and may help to achieve a positive change in the people attitudes; - Three respondents believe that this will help to improve the communication of the youth (there is one answer - they are like family to me). - In the opinion of 1 respondent the sharing of the experience is important since he works in the area of job placement and the knowledge on the topic will contribute to non-discrimination. Seven respondents gave negative answers to this question and two did not answer. 26 persons answered to the last thirteenth question ("How do you evaluate the speakers - do you have any recommendations on the manner in which they have provided the information?"). The majority of them (20) answered that the speakers did a good job; 1 respondent answered that the speakers provided the information in an appropriate and affordable way; 1 respondent answered that the information was presented in an interesting way; 1 respondent answered that the speakers were professionally trained; 2 respondents answered that the presentation was excellent; 2 respondents answered that they were satisfied

13 with the speakers and in the opinion of 1 respondent their presentation was at a satisfactory level. Based on the summaries of the questionnaires we may conclude that the Round Table has been successfully completed, that the participants are satisfied with the presentation and discussion of the topic and that the information is useful to them and they will share it with colleagues and friends, thus attracting more people sympathetic to the problem and contributing to non-discrimination on any ground. The desire of the participants to be included in future workshops on similar topics speaks about their interest and willingness to work and contribute to the development and consolidation of a real democratic society in Bulgaria by adopting the different people and by helping to ensure their smooth integration. Feedback from Protected Home for People at Risk, city of Burgas, and the team of social workers Focus on the problems and challenges which the youth face: Some of the youth face difficulties in finding a job due to the lack of vocational training. Even if they have completed general education they do not have the specific knowledge and skills required by the professional fields, which turns the young qualified people into unqualified ones. When they are placed with us they are trained in the basic skills required for the job seeking - CV writing, interview preparation and how to behave at the meeting with the employer. In addition, the young people are in an unfavourable situation due to their social status. Often the employers do not employ them based on a prejudice and have neither wish to spend money, nor time for their training, i.e. the youth fall in a vicious circle. The youth are not employed since they do not have experience and expertise and for this reason they can not gain neither experience, nor expertise. This dooms the youth to prolonged job seeking and increases the risk of being dismissed first in case of deterioration of the labour market. As a consequence, the youth are most often employed on a temporary or seasonal basis which increases the risk of their physical survival. There are even cases when they remain on the street. Often the young people leaving the institutions have a wrong attitude to what is about to happen. They expect that everything will happen in the way it has happened before. Thus the first resistance occurs. Its overcoming is a major challenge for the social workers. Being in a new environment and establishing new relationships the young people often misinterpret them and find themselves in conflict situations which they provoke themselves, thus becoming victims. Often the young people form a closed community where they communicate primarily with each other. If any youth remains on the job more than a year it may be concluded that sustainability has been achieved. The major challenge that the youth leaving the institutions face is to learn to assert their right to dream and realisation and their right to a dignified life in the competitive environment where they will fall and where they will learn to survive, as is currently the situation in Bulgaria. The young people are not given emotional support, they have no career

14 guidance and a negative image to the public. It is therefore extremely important to attract more institutions, professionals and employers to take social responsibility and care, to support the youth and to give them a chance for professional development. Over the years, various initiatives have been launched, such as the idea of a guardian in the workplace - a man who is a colleague of the youth and who voluntarily agrees to monitor the work done by the youth in the workplace. The relationship with the employer is also very important. However, the most important are the attitudes of the young people that are most difficult to change and therefore joint efforts in this direction should be made and support in the difficult process of social adaptation and career development should be given. Socio-economic characteristics of Plovdiv Region Plovdiv region covers three administrative districts - Plovdiv, Pazardzhik and Smolyan - and 39 municipalities. The region, which borders Greece, has extremely favourable and key geographical position. Its territory is crossed by a transcontinental road - from West and Central Europe through Sofia - Plovdiv - Svilengrad to Istanbul, Middle East, Asia and North Africa - which is very important for Bulgaria and Europe. The region has well-developed railway network which provides connection to the nearest port, airport that serves transport aircraft and duty free zone. Besides the advantageous transport and geographical position the region is characterized with an extremely favourable natural and economic geographical location which has had an impact on its economic development. The climate in the region is continental and temperate continental and favours the development of the agriculture, tourism and other economic activities. The region is rich in water resources. The soil in the region is suitable for growing perennial and industrial crops, such as vegetables, fruits and some industrial crop species. The forest resources constitute a large part of the forests in Bulgaria. The population of the region is the most important socio-economic resource in the regional development process. The people are both producers and consumers of material and spiritual wealth which makes them key and limiting factor for the development of each territory. As of 31 December 2011, the population in the region includes 1,075,143 inhabitants, as follows: 680, 884 in Plovdiv District, 273,803 in Pazardzhik District and 120,456 in Smolyan District. In the period the population in the region has decreased by 57,282 inhabitants or by 5%, which per cent is the same as the per cent reduction of the population in the country for that period. Economic Characteristics Plovdiv District The employment rate (which reflects the number of employed population aged 15 and over) in Plovdiv District is 47.8%.

15 Plovdiv District is the second most populated area in the country and is an industrial and agricultural area with multi-sectoral economy. The district generates about 7% of the income from sales of goods and services at national level. Nearly 76 % of this income comes from the private sector. The industrial production provides about 62% of the income. There is a trend toward increase of the income generated from the sale of services. Nine key sectors of the industry in the area generate almost 90% of its gross income. These are: manufacture of food products, beverages and tobacco products - about 28% share in the gross income from sales; non-ferrous metal industry - 14% share; metal casting, metalworking and production of machinery - 11% share; production of chemicals and chemical products - 9% share; etc. The district features favourable soil and climatic conditions that allow growing of large number of crops - more than 100 species. The most commonly grown traditional crops are cereals, vegetables and fruits, wine and table grapes, essential oil crops, rice, etc. Another important area where the district has a leading position is the balneology: in the town of Hisar is located a national spa centre and the spa resort Narechenski Bani is of national importance. The district centre houses 7 universities and lots of research institutes, the most significant of which operate in the field of agriculture and food industry. Pazardzhik District Pazardzhik District covers 4% of the whole territory of the country. The leading industries in the economic structure of the district are the tourism, agriculture, timber industry and wood processing, engineering industry, clothing industry, furniture and food industries. Smolyan District The leading industries in the district are the timber industry and wood processing, agriculture, textile industry and tourism. The small and medium enterprises have a large share in the municipal economy. The light industry, represented by textile and clothing factories and meat - and dairy processing plants, occupies a central place in the economic structure of Smolyan District. Unemployment In 2013, the average annual unemployment rate in Plovdiv Region is 12.8%. The average unemployment rate is 10.0% in Plovdiv District, 16.6% in Pazardzhik District and 19.6% in Smolyan District. The lowest unemployment rate is reported within the territory of LOD - Plovdiv % and the highest unemployment rate is reported within the territory of LOD - Velingrad %. In 2013, the annual average number of unemployed in the region is 61, ,427 of them are registered in the Plovdiv District. Youth aged up to 29

16 In 2013, the annual average number of unemployed youth aged up to 29 registered with the labour offices in the region is 12, 632, which is 21% of the total number of unemployed. Labour demand In 2013, the employers in the region have advertised 32,209 job vacancies at the LODs, which is 10% more compared to the previous year. 19, 864 job vacancies are made public in the primary labour market outside the employment programmes and incentives under the EPA. The private sector offers the majority of the jobs in the primary labour market. The private sector employers have advertised 12,063 jobs (61 %). The most popular professions sought by the employers from Povdiv Region during the period are tailors, workers in the footwear and leather haberdashery industry, cooks, waiters, construction workers, fitters, sellers, etc. Activities performed by the LODs Services provided The LODs provide a range of different services to the registered youth: - Information and consulting on the services provided; - Agency in the employment; - Psychological support; - Career guidance; - Motivation training; - Inclusion in appropriate employment and training programmes. A new practice in the LOD activity is the employment workshop. In the employment workshop a team of psychologists offers to the young people to improve their skills for job seeking and for successful performance in the job application. In many cases the unemployed youth need assistance in a certain area of the job seeking. For example: How to prepare applications for employment; How to prepare for and behave on an interview with the employer; How to prepare my behavioural and career plan. A new practice in the LOD activity is the appointment of a Case Manager. The Case Manager supports the unemployed people from the vulnerable groups in seeking and finding job in the labour market by: - Studying the needs and potential of the individuals; - Identifying the main barriers; - Determining an appropriate range of services in order to overcome the identified barriers; - Giving institutions on their provision; - determining the conditions for access to these services; - Determining the actions on their receipt that should be taken.

17 European Youth Guarantee The term "Youth Guarantee" means all young people under the age of 25 who receive a good job offer, continuing education, apprenticeship or traineeship within four months after losing their job or after leaving the formal education system. The measures for implementation of the Youth Guarantee and for activating the young people in the labour market in terms of the employment system are: Making contact with the identified unemployed and uneducated youth and informing them about the services provided at the labour office; Creating interest of the young people in inclusion in employment, apprenticeships, traineeships and training; At least one recruitment agency specialised in working with youth is located in each labour office. - Preparing an individual action plan containing the youth profile; - Providing career guidance and motivation; - Holding specialised Youth Job Fair; - Enhancing the role of the career development centres at the Regional Employment Service Directorates (RESD) and at the EA Head Office. The employees of all labour offices in Plovdiv Region demonstrate a desire and initiative to support the professional development of the youth from the social institutions, taking into account the responsibility of this commitment, seeking the support of the employers and relying on their cooperation. Preparation of the Round Table in the town of Hisarya The number of young graduates from the homes Olga Skobeleva HCDPC, Knaginya Mariya Luisa HCDPC and Tanyo Voyvoda Children Home, town of Asenovgrad, and the number of youth placed in sheltered housing and protected homes (Mladost Children's Village, Protected Home for People at Risk, Mladost Sheltered Housing, Sv. Georgi SEPC - city of Plovdiv) was determined in advance. With the active support of the LOD - Plovdiv expert-psychologist and the Case Manager all graduates were created profiles to clarify their wishes for further professional development and their specific physical capabilities, skills and qualifications. The main efforts of the LOD - Plovdiv officials were focused on the youth who planned their career development upon completion of the education and on providing more sustainable employment. The LOD psychologist made individual and group consultation and motivated the young people who had to be involved in the project. In the course of work the following difficulties occurred: Some of the young people expressed a desire to continue their education in a university, but also said that they would like to work, even part-time, to sustain themselves;

18 In some of the young people the desired profession did not always coincide with the qualifications acquired upon completion of the secondary education. This required training in career guidance and motivation to be conducted. Highest interest was shown in the professions in the field of catering industry and trade; the youth showed lower interest in the production activities. Contacts with employers operating in various areas were made in advance with a view to exploring the employment opportunities for the youth. In the catering industry contacts with Happy Bar & Grill and Sunfoods Bulgaria LTD were made. In the trade sector contact with Dizma General Partnership, a company operating in the furniture trade was made. In the production sector contacts with United Milk Company AD (production of dairy products), Novomes Ltd, village of Novo Selo (production of meat products), Nematex Ltd (footwear industry), Filikon - 97 AD (canning industry), Ferocom AD (production of wire cloths) and Asima Ltd (production of reinforcing bars) were made. In the construction sector contact with Reststroy Ltd was made and in the field of cleaning and landscaping contacts with Parks and Gardens Municipal Enterprise and Chistota Municipal Enterprise were made. With the active support of the director of the branch office of Labour Office - Plovdiv - Maritsa, town of Hisarya, contacts with the following employers in the town of Hisarya were made: Augusta Hotel, Gaytani Hotel and Augusta Restaurant with a view to a possible site visit by the young graduates. In connection with the preparation of the Round Table contacts with representatives of various social institutions in Plovdiv District were made: RESD - Plovdiv, LOD - Plovdiv - Rodopi, LOD - Plovdiv - Maritsa, LOD - Asenovgrad, Career Guidance Centre, SADs, Olga Skobeleva HCDPC, Knaginya Mariya Luisa HCDPC, Tanyo Voyvoda Children Home, town of Asenovgrad, Mladost Children's Village, Protected Home for People at Risk, Mladost Sheltered Housing, Sv. Georgi SEPC - city of Plovdiv and IGA Centre for Social Rehabilitation and Integration. On 2 and 3 April 2014 Round Table for young men and women from homes for children deprived of parental care, employers, representatives of the local self-governments, recruitment agencies and representatives of the central administration was held in the town of Hisarya under the slogan "Tolerance, Respect, Understanding and Equality in the Workplace" and under Project JUST/2012/PROG/AG/AD/3711 It s up to you to put discrimination out of use! of the. A presentation on the topic "Promoting the Diversity and Non-discrimination in the Labour Market and Characteristics of the South Central Region in terms of the Need for Employment" was made at the Round Table. The Round Table was attended by 13 youth graduating in 2014 and 2015 from Olga Skobeleva HCDPC, Knaginya Mariya Luisa HCDPC, Tanyo Voyvoda Children Home, town of Asenovgrad, Mladost Protected Home, Mladost Sheltered Housing and Sv. Georgi SEPC - city of Plovdiv who were accompanied by their tutors.