Welcome to the United Nations 
OHCHR 
Press releases Treaty bodies
Default title
17 November 1999
Share
MORNING
HR/ESC/99/31
17 November 1999
COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS CONCLUDES
REVIEW OF BULGARIAN REPORT ON IMPLEMENTATION OF COVENANT
The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights this afternoon concluded its review of the initial report presented by the Government of Bulgaria on how that country was implementing the provisions of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
Concluding observations and recommendations on the report of Bulgaria will be issued by the Committee towards the end of the three-week session, which concludes on 3 December.
The four-member Bulgarian delegation, answering questions from Committee's Experts this morning, said Bulgarian law prohibited child labour as a whole, but children's participation in family business was allowed as long as it did not implicate any remuneration. Bills protecting the right of the child had not yet been passed by the country's National Assembly, the delegation added.
The delegation also told the Committee the fight against organized crime and corruption was seen by the Government as a way of ensuring the basic rights and freedoms of the population. The Government had already put in place a mechanism aimed at combatting the phenomenon of organized crimes and corruption, whose implementation was analyzed every six months to apprehend its effectiveness.
Committee members asked additional questions about the creation of a culture of a balanced diet to combat cholesterol and cardiovascular problems; about budgetary allocations for the promotion of economic, social and cultural aspects; about the Government's policy on employment of elderly people; and about organized crimes, among other things.
As one of 142 States parties to the International Covenant, Bulgaria must submit periodic reports to the Committee on the measures taken to implement the provisions of the treaty.
When the Committee reconvenes at 3 p.m., it will take up the initial report of Argentina (document E/1990/5/Add.36).
Discussion
Responding to pending questions from yesterday, the members of the delegation said the Government was studying the draft optional protocol to the International Covenant, which was submitted by the Committee. Once the study was accomplished, the Government would make known its position on the matter.
The unemployment benefit was not enough to cover the living needs of the beneficiaries, the delegation said. Even the normal wage in Bulgaria was far from the level of living conditions of employees. The rise in prices and the scarcity of goods in the market had also complicated life for the unemployed persons who received less money to live with.
Bulgaria had the lowest retiring age in Europe -- for men it was between 52 and 60, and for women it was between 47 and 55 years -- the delegation said. That policy of a lower retirement age resulted in 2,434,000 pensioners among the total 8,384,718 population, posing difficulties for the Government to fund the scheme. The proportion of working people was double of that of the pensioners, the delegation said.
The phenomenon of street children had been an alarming issue since the former controlled system was no longer in place, the delegation said. In the past, the right to freedom of movement was some how restricted and the system did not allow for children to live in streets. However, at present, although legislation was enacted with the view toward reducing the number of street children, it was not strong enough to tackle the problem as a whole. Temporary shelters had been set up for those children, where they were guided by psychologists and social assistants.
Bulgarian law prohibited child labour as a whole, but children's participation in family business was specifically allowed as long as it did not implicate any remuneration, officials said. Bills protecting the right of the child had not yet been passed by the country's National Assembly.
No serious changes in the manifestations of violence against women had taken place in Bulgaria in recent years, the delegation said. Similarly, there was no change in the causes of domestic violence, such as grave economic situations, and unsatisfactory upbringing and education, the delegation said. However, the Government was searching for suitable measures to deter domestic violence against women. Legislative measures had been taken by establishing the principle of non-discrimination on the basis of sex.
Under Bulgarian law, pregnant women and other members of vulnerable groups were not subjected to any dismissal by employers, the delegation said. Also, women having a child under three and a woman whose husband went on military service could not be dismissed from their jobs.
The delegation said mother and child homes had been established for children under three years of age who had no family or who had been left without the care of their family, as well as children in need of special attention. With regard to orphanages, specialized homes had also been organized so children between three and 16 who had been left without parental surveillance had a place to stay. Children without parents were entitled to larger social benefits than those extended to other citizens. State scholarships were also provided for children who study and whose families were in disadvantaged economic positions.
Committee members asked additional questions about the creation of a culture encouraging a balanced diet to combat cholesterol and cardiovascular problems; about budgetary allocations for the promotion of economic, social and cultural aspects; about the Government's policy on employment of elderly people; and about organized crime, among other things.
In response to the oral queries of Committee Experts, members of the delegation said the fight against organized crime and corruption was seen by the Government as a way to ensure the basic rights and freedoms of the population. The Government had already put in place a mechanism aimed at combatting the phenomenon of organized crime and corruption. The implementation of the programme was revised and analyzed every six month to determine its effectiveness.
Bulgaria’s annual budget for the 2000 was still being debated by the country's parliament, and it was expected it would be adopted at the end of the month, the delegation said. The budget had put more emphasis on social expenditure, such as education and health. Because of the strict financial discipline exercised by the Government, the budget would be fulfilled and carried out correctly, the delegation added.
Adult access to education was guaranteed by the general principle of equality of all citizens, the delegation said. The State promoted education by creating conditions for professional training and qualification. In addition, assistance was available to enable the entire population -- students, the disabled, the elderly and other vulnerable groups in particular -- access to cultural activities.
HR/ESC/99/31
17 November 1999
COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS CONCLUDES
REVIEW OF BULGARIAN REPORT ON IMPLEMENTATION OF COVENANT
The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights this afternoon concluded its review of the initial report presented by the Government of Bulgaria on how that country was implementing the provisions of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
Concluding observations and recommendations on the report of Bulgaria will be issued by the Committee towards the end of the three-week session, which concludes on 3 December.
The four-member Bulgarian delegation, answering questions from Committee's Experts this morning, said Bulgarian law prohibited child labour as a whole, but children's participation in family business was allowed as long as it did not implicate any remuneration. Bills protecting the right of the child had not yet been passed by the country's National Assembly, the delegation added.
The delegation also told the Committee the fight against organized crime and corruption was seen by the Government as a way of ensuring the basic rights and freedoms of the population. The Government had already put in place a mechanism aimed at combatting the phenomenon of organized crimes and corruption, whose implementation was analyzed every six months to apprehend its effectiveness.
Committee members asked additional questions about the creation of a culture of a balanced diet to combat cholesterol and cardiovascular problems; about budgetary allocations for the promotion of economic, social and cultural aspects; about the Government's policy on employment of elderly people; and about organized crimes, among other things.
As one of 142 States parties to the International Covenant, Bulgaria must submit periodic reports to the Committee on the measures taken to implement the provisions of the treaty.
When the Committee reconvenes at 3 p.m., it will take up the initial report of Argentina (document E/1990/5/Add.36).
Discussion
Responding to pending questions from yesterday, the members of the delegation said the Government was studying the draft optional protocol to the International Covenant, which was submitted by the Committee. Once the study was accomplished, the Government would make known its position on the matter.
The unemployment benefit was not enough to cover the living needs of the beneficiaries, the delegation said. Even the normal wage in Bulgaria was far from the level of living conditions of employees. The rise in prices and the scarcity of goods in the market had also complicated life for the unemployed persons who received less money to live with.
Bulgaria had the lowest retiring age in Europe -- for men it was between 52 and 60, and for women it was between 47 and 55 years -- the delegation said. That policy of a lower retirement age resulted in 2,434,000 pensioners among the total 8,384,718 population, posing difficulties for the Government to fund the scheme. The proportion of working people was double of that of the pensioners, the delegation said.
The phenomenon of street children had been an alarming issue since the former controlled system was no longer in place, the delegation said. In the past, the right to freedom of movement was some how restricted and the system did not allow for children to live in streets. However, at present, although legislation was enacted with the view toward reducing the number of street children, it was not strong enough to tackle the problem as a whole. Temporary shelters had been set up for those children, where they were guided by psychologists and social assistants.
Bulgarian law prohibited child labour as a whole, but children's participation in family business was specifically allowed as long as it did not implicate any remuneration, officials said. Bills protecting the right of the child had not yet been passed by the country's National Assembly.
No serious changes in the manifestations of violence against women had taken place in Bulgaria in recent years, the delegation said. Similarly, there was no change in the causes of domestic violence, such as grave economic situations, and unsatisfactory upbringing and education, the delegation said. However, the Government was searching for suitable measures to deter domestic violence against women. Legislative measures had been taken by establishing the principle of non-discrimination on the basis of sex.
Under Bulgarian law, pregnant women and other members of vulnerable groups were not subjected to any dismissal by employers, the delegation said. Also, women having a child under three and a woman whose husband went on military service could not be dismissed from their jobs.
The delegation said mother and child homes had been established for children under three years of age who had no family or who had been left without the care of their family, as well as children in need of special attention. With regard to orphanages, specialized homes had also been organized so children between three and 16 who had been left without parental surveillance had a place to stay. Children without parents were entitled to larger social benefits than those extended to other citizens. State scholarships were also provided for children who study and whose families were in disadvantaged economic positions.
Committee members asked additional questions about the creation of a culture encouraging a balanced diet to combat cholesterol and cardiovascular problems; about budgetary allocations for the promotion of economic, social and cultural aspects; about the Government's policy on employment of elderly people; and about organized crime, among other things.
In response to the oral queries of Committee Experts, members of the delegation said the fight against organized crime and corruption was seen by the Government as a way to ensure the basic rights and freedoms of the population. The Government had already put in place a mechanism aimed at combatting the phenomenon of organized crime and corruption. The implementation of the programme was revised and analyzed every six month to determine its effectiveness.
Bulgaria’s annual budget for the 2000 was still being debated by the country's parliament, and it was expected it would be adopted at the end of the month, the delegation said. The budget had put more emphasis on social expenditure, such as education and health. Because of the strict financial discipline exercised by the Government, the budget would be fulfilled and carried out correctly, the delegation added.
Adult access to education was guaranteed by the general principle of equality of all citizens, the delegation said. The State promoted education by creating conditions for professional training and qualification. In addition, assistance was available to enable the entire population -- students, the disabled, the elderly and other vulnerable groups in particular -- access to cultural activities.