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			^{.....................................................................................................................................} ^31-01-2007 ^{HOPS and Concordia are fully subscribed with workers from Bulgaria for 2007} ^{Two of the authorized SAWS operators - HOPS and Concordia - have both confirmed that they are fully subscribed for this year, and are not taking further applications until September, when they begin to recruit for next year. They have been advising applicants to check with local agents in Bulgaria in case any occasional spaces become free due to cancellations, etc. The names of all agents used by the operators are placed on the operator website.} ^{.....................................................................................................................................} ^23-01-2007 ^{Updated Info about the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme} ^{Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) - Update to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)} ^{In light of the first weeks of operating under the amended eligibility criteria the HSMP FAQs have been updated with further clarification of existing guidance to provide customers with help in making their HSMP application. Evidence is required to support your claim for previous earnings. More than one piece of evidence is required for the period you are claiming so that the information can be corroborated. The evidence must be from an independent and verifiable source. To ensure that the process is objective and transparent, the evidence we require is detailed on the application form. Different types of evidence are required if you wish to apply using Salaried Earnings, as an Independent Contractor or as a Self-Employed person. Please refer to the FAQs before you submit your application. They are updated with the latest information on questions being raised by applicants. They will help in completing your application form correctly and providing the required evidence. This update of the FAQs provides further clarification on the following: • What is a tax return? • Salaried earnings - I have not got a tax return to cover the full period – what can I do? • Independent Contractors - I have not got a tax return to cover the full period – what can I do? • Self-Employed Applicants - I have not got a tax return to cover the full period – what can I do? • What is an independent contractor? • What are overseas earnings? The FAQs are available by clicking here.} ^{.....................................................................................................................................} ^11-01-2007 ^{The NMC welcomes nurses and midwives from Bulgaria and Romania planning to work in the UK, provided they are registered with the NMC before they can take up employment in their respective field.} ^{If you are a national of Bulgaria or Romania or any other EU Member State, the NMC will treat you as an EU national. If you are a national of any other country but have a Bulgarian or Romanian qualification we cannot treat you as an EU applicant and you must apply as an overseas nurse or midwife. All applications to join the register from EU countries are dealt with by the EU section of the Registrations department. Contact details are: NMC, European Union Department, 23 Portland Place, London, W1B 1PZ, Tel: 020 7333 9333; e-mail: eu.enquiries@nmc-uk.org} ^{How to register – Bulgarian nurses} ^{You can apply as a nurse if you hold the qualification Диплома за висше образование на образователно-квалификационна степен "Бакалавър" с професионална квалификация "Медицинска сестра" awarded in Bulgaria from 1 January 2000. The NMC will ask for a translated copy of your training and check it against the requirements of the European Nursing Directive. If it does not meet the requirements, the NMC will also need a certificate from the National Authority stating that you have been practising safely and effectively for 3 out of the last 5 years. You cannot apply if you hold the qualification as a “feldsher” awarded in Bulgaria before 31 December 1999.} ^{How to register – Bulgarian midwives} ^{You can only apply as a midwife if you hold the qualification Диплома за висше образование на образователно-квалификационна степен "Бакалавър" с професионална квалификация "Акушерка”.} ^{There is no need to go through an agency. The NMC does not ‘fast track’ registration applications for individuals or for recruitment agencies. Paying an agency to submit an application on your behalf will not speed the process up; it will just cost you extra money. All registration applications are dealt with on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please note that registering with the NMC does not mean you are entitled to work in the UK. The Home Office has decided that those arriving from Bulgaria and Romania after January 1st may only work in the UK if they have explicit permission to do so. Permission comes in the form of an Accession worker card. Certain professionals may apply for an Accession worker card without the need for an employer to apply on their behalf for a work permit. Those professions include qualified nurses coming for a period of supervised practise. If you work without permission, you may face severe penalties (for more information, go to the Home Office website.} ^{.....................................................................................................................................} ^05-01-2007 ^{New Quota for the Sectors Based Scheme Food Manufacturing sector} ^{A new quota for the Sectors Based Scheme Food Manufacturing sector has now been agreed. This new quota, which applies to Bulgarian and Romanian nationals only, has been set at 3,500 permits and will be subdivided between the sector as follows: Fish Processing - 600 Meat Processing – 2100 Mushroom Processing - 800 The new quota will come into operation on 1 January 2007.} ^{.....................................................................................................................................} ^01-01-2007 ^{EU member states citizens will have a full access to the Bulgarian labour market,} ^{as from 1st January 2007} ^{The Republic of Bulgaria is for the complete application of the Community law in the field of free movement for workers and also for the establishment of conditions which would allow the citizens of the EU to exercise their right of free movement in order to work- which is their basic right. In that respect Bulgaria would like to show in practice its position, moreover- in the end of 2006, which has been declared by the European Commission for a year for promotion of the labour mobility within the EU. After conducting an extensive public debate regarding the question, whether the country will apply or not the Community law in this field and whether to undertake a reciprocal approach, we are witnesses of a mature attitude on behalf of the whole public in Bulgaria and of our social partners. We consider that the efforts should be directed to the achievement of the common Community goals so that the EU could respond adequately to the contemporary challenges, including in a global perspective. Taking into consideration all mentioned above, the Republic of Bulgaria decided after 01.01.2007 to move to the full application of the acquis in the field of free movement for workers, specifically Regulation (EEC) 1612/68 of the Council from October 15, 1968 for the freedom of movement of workers in the Community. While greeting those Member-States which have taken the same position so far, Bulgaria hopes that the other Member-States will join it in a short term.} ^{For more information visit the web site of the Ministry pf Labour and Social Policy} ^{.....................................................................................................................................} ^14-12-2006 ^{Sofia. A regional information campaign “Clarifying Myths and Realities of Immigrating to the United Kingdom” is launched in Bulgaria on 14th December 2006. This was announced by H.E. Mr. Jeremy Hill, Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Bulgaria during the press conference held at the Bulgarian Telegraph Agency. The campaign is financed by the Government of the United Kingdom and its aim is to provide information about the changes regarding travel of Bulgarian and Romanian citizens to the UK after 1st January 2007 as well as their access to the British labour market. The campaign is implemented in Bulgaria by the Sofia Mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), in partnership with the Bulgarian Ministry of Labour and Social Policy. Ambassador Hill pointed out that the main objective of the campaign is to prevent Bulgarian citizens from attempts to work illegally in the UK. “The United Kingdom will retain control over its labour market after the EU accession date of 1st January 2007 for Bulgaria and Romania, when the visa regime for travel for Bulgarian and Romanian citizens shall be abolished. Mechanisms for legal access to the UK labour market are developed for certain categories of prospective workers from Bulgaria and Romania, such as highly-qualified professionals, seasonal agricultural workers and students studying in the UK” said the Ambassador. Bulgarian students studying in the UK full-time will be able to work 20 hours per week at the maximum. Low-qualified workers will be able to find employment mainly in the agricultural and food-processing sectors of the British industry. .....................................................................................................................................} \| back \| \| home \|