Bulgaria: Information on Podkrepa and a division of this union known as the Independent Artists Union
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 February 1991 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | BGR7982 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Bulgaria: Information on Podkrepa and a division of this union known as the Independent Artists Union, 1 February 1991, BGR7982, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ac790.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Podkrepa is an independent trade union which was formed to defend workers' rights (Radio Free Europe, 10). It is one of thirteen founding members of the Union of Democratic Forces (UDF), an opposition coalition group. Radio Free Europe reported in May that Podkrepa's members are primarily intellectuals and white-collar professionals, but that the organization was beginning to attract other individuals (Engelbrekt 1990, 2). In mid-January 1990, membership was estimated at 100 000 (Radio Free Europe, 10). In May, the International Human Rights Law Group stated that membership was approximately 200 000 (Human Rights Law Group 1990, 22) In June, an article from the Bulgarian Telegraph Agency (BTA) reported Podkrepa's membership at 300 000 (FBIS-EEU-90-127, 6). The Autumn/Winter 1990 issue of East European Reporter suggests that the trade union's membership has increased to 500 000 (Poppisakova 1990).
According to a source from Helsinki Watch, some Podkrepa members may face difficulties in finding employment in Bulgaria (Interview, 25 February 1991). This could not be corroborated with other sources, however, a Radio Free Europe article dated May 1990 states that "...even the most basic rights of Podkrepa's members were being ignored or violated in work places..." (Engelbrekt 1990, 2).
Podkrepa's activities in 1989 and 1990 included organizing a number of workers' strikes, including the strike which forced the Lukanov government to resign in November (Perry 1990, 3; Engelbrekt 1990, 2). The trade union participated in round table talks with the Bulgarian Communist Party (now the Bulgarian Socialist Party) and, as part of the UDF, was involved in the June election (Engelbrekt 1990, 1). It is alleged that Podkrepa Chairman Konstantin Trenchev is responsible for instigating a fire at the offices of the Bulgarian Socialist Party in Sofia in late August (Poppisakova 1990). Trenchev is also reportedly responsible for the allegations against Peter Beron of involvement with the secret police which resulted in the resignation of UDF leader in late 1990 (FBIS-EEU-90-239, 15; Perry 1990, 4). In January 1991, Podkrepa signed the "Social Peace" Agreement between the government, trade unions and employers aimed at preserving "200 days of social peace" (FBIS-EEU-91-006, 9). A later article from BTA suggests that Podkrepa is concerned that several of the clauses of the agreement are not being observed (FBIS-EEU-91-025, 12). No further information is currently available to the IRB Documentation Centre regarding Podkrepa.
There is no information currently available to the IRB Documentation Centre on a division of the Bulgarian independent trade union "Podkrepa" known as the Independent Artists Union.
Bibliography
Engelbrekt, Kjell. 4 May 1990. "Trade Unions and Their Potential to Mobilize, " Radio Free Europe: Report on Eastern Europe. Vol 1 No. 18.
FBIS-EEU-90-127. 2 July 1990. "Podkrepa Leader Trenchev on Future Government" in BTA [Sofia, in English], 29 June 1990.
FBIS-EEU-90-239. 12 December 1990. "Podkrepa Answers Beron's Challenge to Trenchev" in BTA [Sofia, in English], 11 December 1990.
FBIS-EEU-91-006. 6 January 1991. "'Social Peace Agreement Signed with Unions'" in BTA [Sofia, in English], 8 January 1991.
FBIS-EEU-91-025. 6 February 1991. "Podkrepa TU Supports Price Control" in BTA [Sofia, in English], 5 February 1991.
Helsinki Watch Group. 25 February 1991. Telephone interview with representative in New York.
International Human Rights Law Group. 31 May 1990. Preliminary Report on the Upcoming Bulgarian Elections. Washington D.C.
Perry, Duncan M. 21 December 1990. "Lukanov's Government Resigns; New Prime minister Nominated," Radio Free Europe: Report on Eastern Europe. Vol. 1, No. 51.
Poppisakova, Pavlina. Autumn/Winter 1990. "Who's Who in Bulgarian Politics, " East European Reporter. Vol. 4 No. 3.
Radio Free Europe Research. February 1990. Political Parties in Eastern Europe.