A survey conducted by the Commission for Protection against Discrimination (CPD) involving 592 respondents found that 53.7% reported experiencing some form of discrimination. The CPD study, analyzing economic discrimination in the country, gathered data between November and December 2024. Findings revealed that discrimination was reported in hiring practices by 47.8% of respondents, and in payment structures by 33.1%.
Other areas where discrimination was noted include receiving additional benefits (32.6%), working conditions (26.1%), and career development (31.2%). The CPD identified several groups most affected by labor market discrimination, including older workers (53.8%), ethnic minorities (50.4%), young people without experience (38.7%), women with young children (35%), pregnant women (25%), and people with disabilities (36.1%). Beyond employment, the CPD study highlighted discrimination in service provision, with 36.5% reporting issues in accessing healthcare, education, and social care.
Discrimination was also noted in goods and service pricing (27.2%), public procurement (27.9%), and financial lending (25.4%). The survey indicated that economic discrimination is most severe in Northwestern and Southeastern Bulgaria, while the South-Central region reported the weakest instances. Over 60% of respondents believe this discrimination is widespread.
The CPD suggests that negative perceptions are the primary cause of discrimination, affecting ethnic minorities, women, and people with disabilities. The CPD recommends strengthening anti-discrimination regulations, increasing public awareness, and implementing regional measures to improve access to services and jobs.
Topics: #discrimination #when #cpd
