CL "PODKREPA"

The Confederation of Labour Podkrepa /PODKREPA CL/ is recognized social partner at national level. Founded on 8th February 1989, it represents voluntary umbrella association of 17 industry-based federations, 11 trade unions, 36 regional structures, 9 associated members, organized both in geographic and in sectoral terms. Beeing the first democratic trade union structure in Bulgaria, PODKREPA CL plays decisive role in Bulgaria transition towards pluralism, market economy, EU membership and develops as independent workers representative, not involved with any political power or governmental institution.

Speaking in an authentic manner with the voice of Bulgarian working people, PODKREPA CL is campaigning for freedom, respect of human rights and dignity, fair deal at work and social justice. Main PODKREPA CL priorities are the continuing improvment of living standards and working conditions by active protection of its members common interests.

Major PODKREPA CL objectives:

• to guarantee the full respect of labour and human rights by development and improvement of the national system of industrial relations
• to influence Bulgarian social and economic policies with the aim to
increase Bulgarian citizen’s prosperity and well-being
• to promote social partnership, dialogue and solidarity
• to protect health and material, public and cultural interests of its members
and their family.

Important dates:

• 8th February 1989 – establishment of the Confederation
• June 1991 – affiliation to International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, PODKREPA’s President Dr. Trenchev was elected for ICFTU Vice- president
• December 1995 – affiliation to European Trade Union
Confederation ETUC
• May 2003 – PODKREPA’s President Dr. Trenchev was elected for ETUC
Vice-president, re-elected in 2011
• November 2010 – affiliation to European Center for Workers Questions EZA
• April 2015 – Dipl. Eng. Dimitar Manolov was elected for ETUC Steering Committee Member and ETUC Vice- president

Over the last ten years PODKREPA CL has be involved in various international and EU funded projects:

• 1997 Bulgarian Labor Market Needs – detailed study of opinions of
managers, during “Made in Bulgaria” Fare.
• 1997 Bulgarian Labor Market - detailed study, representative for the
country, financed by Economic Institute, Academy of Science
• 1997 Non-institutional and self employment - detailed study,
representative for the country, ordered and financed by Institute for
Market Economy.
• 1997 Monitoring and evaluation of the EU Program “Urgent Social
Assistance for Bulgaria”, subcontractor of Club “Economy 2000”.
• 1998 Conference “Poverty and Living Standard in Bulgaria”, financed by
“Friedrich Ebert” and “Open Society” Foundation
• 1998 Social evaluation of Pernik region, financed by World Bank.
• 1998 Plan for creation of alternative employment in mono-industrial
coal mining region – municipality of Tvarditsa, Sliven region,
financed by GIP-Inter, France with assistance of CFDT - France.
• 1999 Alternative employment in restructuring the mono-industrial coal
mining region - municipality of Tvarditsa, Sliven region, financed by
National Employment Service and Fund “Professional Qualification
and Unemployment”
• 2002 Implementation of European standards/legislation and practice/
in facilitating social dialogue under PHARE ACCESS Program
• 2003 Encouraging fundamental rights at work place and strengthen trade
union activities–ILO Project, financed by German government.
• 2004 Project Network for observation of trade union rights – ICFTU
• 2005 Project with ST – Swedish Public servants Union about the status
and professional career of public servants.
• 2006 Project with CGIL-Italy on Information & Consultations in MNCs
• 2007 Projects with CISL Lombardy about the EWCs and the transposition
on the Recast Directive 38/2009.
• 2007 EU Funded project on preparation of Bulgarian representatives
in Information & Consultation bodies.
• 2009 EU funded project on Raising Public Awareness National wide
campaign fighting Poverty and Social Exclusion
• 2010 ESF funded project PODKREPA for Decent work
• 2012 Partnership project with CGIL Italy and CCOO Spain on Right to
strike in Europe
• 2014 EU funded project on active orientation of persons with disabilities

Representative and executive bodies:

Organizational structure is built upon principles of the free association of autonomous professional federations and regional unions.
• The Congress of Delegates, convened every four years, is Supreme body and elect President, Vice-president and Confederal secretaries.
• The Confederative council is the supreme ruling body between two Congresses.
• The Executive Council is the standing body which manages and organizes confederation’s overall activity

Leadership:

Last Ninth Statutory Congress was held in Sofia, 8-10 of February 2015, approving 15 Resolutions and reconfirming PODKREPA CL strong commitment to follow its strategic goals to militate for job creation, for decent national wage policy and for economic growth. Historical founder and leader since 1989 Dr. Konstantin Trenchev step down as Honorable President and Dipl. Eng. Dimitar Manolov was elected President with Dipl. Eng. Ioanis Parteniotis for Vice-president, together with four Confederal secretaries.