Cyprus and Bulgaria deepen cooperation in social insurance matters

The Ministry of Labor and Social Insurance of the Republic of Cyprus concluded today an agreement with the National Social Insurance Institute of Bulgaria, which provides for the exchange of experts between the two sides.

The Minister of Labour Sotiroula Charalambous received her Bulgarian counterpart Totyu Mladenov and his delegation at the Ministry, in Nicosia, and discussed ways to deepen cooperation, as well as issues of concern to the Bulgarian citizens working in Cyprus.

After the conclusion of the meeting and the signing of the agreement, Charalambous, speaking to journalists, said that the upgraded cooperation between the two sides will benefit thousands of Bulgarian workers, residing in Cyprus.

She added that the agreement aims at facilitating Bulgarian citizens who claim their benefits from the social insurance services of both countries.

Charalambous assured her counterpart that the Ministry of Labour treats all workers in Cyprus on an equal footing, ensuring their rights, independent of their origin.

The Minister of Labor and Social Policy of Bulgaria Totyu Mladenov thanked Charalambous for her cooperation with the Bulgarian side, in resolving labor-related issues.

He added that, apart from the signing of the agreement, the two sides discussed the possibility of cooperation between the Departments of Labor Inspection of the two countries.

He, moreover, invited Charalambous to Sofia, to conclude the talks and sign a bilateral agreement.

Mladenov finally referred to the one-day seminar, scheduled to take place tomorrow in the State Fair, with the aim of informing Bulgarian employees about their rights and obligations.

He said that he would address Bulgarian employees, asking them to reside and work legally in Cyprus.

He finally added that he would inform them on opportunities the Bulgarian labor market currently offers, calling those who are interested to repatriate.