BCCI partner of an award ceremony for employers of refugees and migrants

The Sofia Development Association, Sofia Municipality, Caritas Sofia and the UNHCR Representation in Bulgaria presented last week the first awards for responsible employers of refugees and migrants, on the occasion of International Migrants Day – 18 December. The awards aim to honour companies that recruit and retain migrants in their teams, give them public recognition for promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and promote good practices for the professional development of employees.

The awards are part of the activities of the new Information and Services Office for Foreign Citizens, which was established and launched in October this year with the joint efforts of Sofia Municipality, the Sofia Development Association, the Bulgarian Red Cross, with the support of “Vazrazhdane” Markets and UNHCR, co-funded by the EU through the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund under the “CONNECTION” project.

The Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB), the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), and members of the Working Group on Integration collected nominations, and the organizations initiators of the event selected the winners in 5 categories – areas that are particularly relevant to the successful integration of foreign nationals. The winners in 2021 have significantly contributed to reducing barriers for migrants to enter the labour market and have promoted integration and understanding in the community of Sofia and its surroundings.

Convoy World AD, a leading manufacturer and distributor of household goods with a production base in the region of Novi Iskar, was awarded in the category “Sustainable commitment to migrant employees”. The company has been hiring asylum seekers and third-country nationals for more than 5 years. In addition to the much needed work, as a socially responsible employer, Convoy provides an address, housing and comprehensive support to its third-country employees with other necessary services such as enrollment in kindergarten, GP and others. The company currently has 4 employees from Syria and Pakistan.

In the category “Green jobs for third-country nationals”, the award went to Fransizkup Ltd., a company that recycles starters and alternators and sells them in the country and abroad. There are currently 3 boys from Afghanistan working in Fransizkup Ltd. The company also offers them free housing.

In the category “Employer attentive to mothers and women” the award went to Angel Baby Ltd., a company making clothing for children aged 0-4 and textiles for the nursery. This year, Angel Baby Ltd. has hired 3 women from Afghanistan and Yemen and is waiting to open 2 more jobs for vulnerable women. The company is also interested in hiring qualified men.

The award in the category “Combining work and study” was won by Orthoteh Ltd., the largest Bulgarian manufacturer of orthopedic medical devices. At the moment, the company employs 2 boys from Afghanistan, who are provided not only with on-the-job training, but also with the opportunity to combine the work process with Bulgarian language courses.

In the category “Teamwork” the award went to Terastone Ltd., a Bulgarian company engaged in import, distribution and direct sale of granite, floor ceramics, sanitary ware, technical marble and granite. Terastone Ltd. employs 3 people from Syria, who received full support and acceptance from the team.