Sofia, September 28 (BTA) - Caretaker Labour and Social Policy Minister Galab Donev Tuesday said that his ministry was working on various scenarios for a higher minimum wage in 2022. Interviewed on Nova TV, he said an increase to 760 leva from 650 leva now as suggested by the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions would be too much, but did not deny that it was being considered along with other options.

Donev said an income increase by an average of 14 per cent so far this year, including for pensioners, had outstripped inflation, which is slightly above 2 per cent.

Being an open economy, Bulgaria is influenced by developments on the European market, he said, adding that it is important that people and businesses in this country can afford the prices of goods and services.

Disadvantaged people in Bulgaria form a large group, 345,000 are entitled to heating allowances, some 200,000 have been approved so far, and some 65,000 people with disabilities, children and unemployed people get monthly benefits.

The price of electricity for domestic customers is set by the energy regulator. A price hike is expected from January, said Donev. The heating allowance for the coming winter increased to 104.71 leva a month from 99.16 leva last winter. The total allowance of 523 leva is payable as a lump sum./DS/DD/