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this is precisely the problem which unfortunately will make the recovery process in BG very difficult and even delayed. Because if the quality and productivity of BG labor is not dramatically increasing BG will loose a significant share in (future) FDI's. Because even if labor costs are "cost effective" compared to CE but the productivity is also only 1/3 there is no advantage to shift production to BG (only 1/3 labor cost but only 1/3 productivity results in the same costs if production stays in CE, because there is no benefit to shift it to BG). Not mention the extra effort for integration, communication, transport etc.

Other countries (e.g. RO) by devaluating the currency reducing the labor cost to get competitive again, but due to the currency board this effect is not possible in BG.

SP and GR are suffering similar problems, they have increased their labor costs but did not increase labor productivity accordingly and now have to pay the price (much higher refinancing cost within the EURO and very pessimistic outlook for economic recovery).

I strongly hope that this macro effect will get understood very quickly by each Bulgarian citizen, that higher salaries have directly to do something with higher quality of work and higher productivity, otherwise a fast increase in living standard will not be possible.

Additionally if BG is continuing in hindering itself to pick up prepared EU funding by petty discussion and inabliltiy to adopt administration the outlook gets even more worrying....

Actually, GDP per capita of Bulgaria with $13,200 is noticeably higher than Romania's $12,500.

minimum you do minimum you get.
It begins with education.
It begins working with skills.
It is hours worked not time, but productivity. Of 8 hrs paid 6 hours is reasonable. No pain bo gain.

Higher wages means higher production costs, higher production costs means higher selling price, higher selling price means overpriced against far eastern imports, means factories and manufacturing industry closes down.

This is fact and is showing across most of Europe as the manufacturing industries are closing at the fastest rate in history as cheap Far Eastern imports replace them.

Unfortunately, though Bulgarians and Romanians do deserve higher wages, the final effect is inevitable and dooms both countries manufacturing industry.

Just look at the UK manufacturing industry which has either moved to the far east or closed down to see this.

Look at the steel industry in Bulgaria if you want proof.

I'm glad that salaries are increasing in Romania, Romanians deserve it, I lived in Romania in the early 90's and at that time the monthly salaries were less than $100. I never could figure out how people survived on such a small salary. Mark Montgomery mailto:boboberg@nyc.rr.com

Romania especially and Bulgaria in 10 years are going to have one of the highest salaries in the EU. Dont try and say that Romania is similar to you cause its not! Romania is one of the fastest developing EU States in the EU. You and Romania have nothing in common. Bulgarian media need to understand that very fast.