People are the main capital in the railway and the most valuable resource in any economy They play an essential role in the development of rail transport. Minister of Transport and Communications Korman Ismailov said at the opening of the IX Congress of the Union of Railwaymen in Bulgaria at Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Bulgaria (CITUB). It was attended by Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications Murad Turk, the President of the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria Plamen Dimitrov, the President of the Union of Railwaymen in Bulgaria Petar Bunev, and others.
Minister Ismailov pointed out that in strategic sectors such as rail transport, the value of human labour and expertise is even greater. "Without people – without their skills, experience and dedication – neither new trains nor modernized lines can provide a quality and reliable service to citizens and guests of the country," he said.
The transport minister noted that the railway is entering a new stage with the introduction of high technology and digitalization of systems. According to him, this requires not only investment in infrastructure and rolling stock, but also enhanced training and qualification of staff.
"About 17,000 people work in the state-owned companies BDZ (Bulgarian State Railways) and NRIC (National Railway Infrastructure Company), but at the same time there is a serious staff shortage," Minister Ismailov said, adding that joint action is needed between the state, educational institutions, the private sector and trade unions to attract and retain specialists in the system.
