Discrimination at work · Bulgaria

Direct answer

Discrimination because of sex, age, origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation or pregnancy is illegal at every stage — hiring, pay, promotion, dismissal — and the burden of proof shifts: once you show facts that suggest it, the employer must prove otherwise. Комисия за защита от дискриминация (КЗД) (02 807 30 30) is the equality body for Bulgaria: free, confidential, it investigates and mediates. Вашият синдикат (КНСБ, Подкрепа) (knsb-bg.org) represents you; Изпълнителна агенция „Главна инспекция по труда“ (0700 17 670) takes complaints and can inspect. Deadlines for a claim are short (often 2–6 months), so start now.

Call firstКомисия за защита от дискриминация (КЗД)

Report toВашият синдикат (КНСБ, Подкрепа)

If that failsИзпълнителна агенция „Главна инспекция по труда“

🗣️ What to say

"Since [date] I have been treated less favourably than colleagues in [pay / shifts / promotion / …] and I believe the reason is my [ground]. Examples: [dates, facts, witnesses]. I ask for this to be investigated and stopped. I am also contacting Комисия за защита от дискриминация (КЗД)."

🪜 Step by step

Write it downDates, what was said or done, who was there, how others were treated. Comparisons are the evidence.
Internal complaintHR or the works council, in writing. Many countries require this step; it also fixes the date.
Equality body: Комисия за защита от дискриминация (КЗД)Free advice, investigation, mediation, sometimes representation. They know which claim fits.
Union: Вашият синдикат (КНСБ, Подкрепа)Representation in negotiations and at the labour court.
DeadlineClaims for compensation or contesting a decision have deadlines of a few months. Ask Комисия за защита от дискриминация (КЗД) for the exact one on day one.

📇 All contacts

Комисия за защита от дискриминация (КЗД)Discrimination complaints, sanctionsDiscrimination at work, housing, services📞 02 807 30 30 🔗 www.kzd-nondiscrimination.com

Вашият синдикат (КНСБ, Подкрепа)Legal aid and negotiation for membersFor members; you can join right away🔗 knsb-bg.org

Изпълнителна агенция „Главна инспекция по труда“Employer inspections, fines, reports onlineAs soon as wages are overdue📞 0700 17 670 🔗 www.gli.government.bg/bg/signali

Районен съд — трудови дела (без такса)Unlawful dismissal within 2 months, wage claimsWithin 2 months of the dismissal🔗 www.justice.government.bg

❓ Frequently asked

Can they punish me for complaining?

Retaliation is itself illegal and separately compensable. Keep the paper trail — it is what makes retaliation provable.

I am pregnant and they cut my hours

Pregnancy discrimination is sex discrimination and pregnant workers have special protection against dismissal. Contact Комисия за защита от дискриминация (КЗД) the same week.

They say I was not hired because of "fit"

Ask in writing for the reason and the successful candidate's qualifications; a refusal to answer counts against them.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

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“equality body Bulgaria complaint”
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