Civic participation through the Office of the National Ombudsman in the protection of labour rights in Bulgaria

Eleonora Ushatova-Kalinova

doi:10.5771/1435-2869-2023-2-249

Contents
- Chapter Expand | CollapseAuthorsPage
- 127–130 Titelei/Inhaltsverzeichnis 127–130
- 131–134 Editorial 131–134
- 135–140 Western Balkans Civil Society Forum Peter Scherrer Peter Scherrer 135–140
- 141–160 Evaluating gender equality in politics and the labour market: the case of Albania Ela Golemi, Anxhela Llaftiu Ela Golemi, Anxhela Llaftiu 141–160
- 161–176 Poverty and its measurement: the case of Albania Ardita Borici, Alba Kruja Ardita Borici, Alba Kruja 161–176
- 177–188 Aspects of political representation in Albania: is it time for fewer seats in parliament? Belina Bedini Belina Bedini 177–188
- 189–208 ‘Slaves’ without coercion? Work-related classification patterns among Romanian migrant workers Christian Sperneac-Wolfer, Andrei Botorog, Ferdinand Sutterlüty Christian Sperneac-Wolfer, Andrei Botorog, Ferdinand Sutterlüty 189–208
- 209–226 ‘Ştiu eu pe cineva’. Self-organised mobility, labour intermediation and the two-fold exploitation of Romanian workers in the Austrian fresh food sector Paul Sperneac-Wolfer Paul Sperneac-Wolfer 209–226
- 227–248 After Arbeitsschutzkontrollgesetz. Strikes and organic intellectuals in the German meat industry Daniela Ana, Ştefan Voicu Daniela Ana, Ştefan Voicu 227–248
- 249–262 Civic participation through the Office of the National Ombudsman in the protection of labour rights in Bulgaria Eleonora Ushatova-Kalinova Eleonora Ushatova-Kalinova 249–262
- 263–270 Discussing Attila Àgh: Awaking Europe in the triple global crisis. The birth pangs of the emerging Europe (2021) Christophe Solioz Christophe Solioz 263–270
- 271–272 About the Authors 271–272
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SEER Journal for Labour and Social Affairs in Eastern Europe , page 249 - 262

Civic participation through the Office of the National Ombudsman in the protection of labour rights in Bulgaria

Autoren

Eleonora Ushatova-Kalinova

DOI
- doi.org/10.5771/1435-2869-2023-2-249
- ISSN: 1435-2869
- ISSN online: 2942-3384
Abstract

This article examines the Office of the National Ombudsman as a possible channel for the exercise of citizen’s participation in democratic life in Bulgaria. Evidence in this direction is derived from the legally established possibilities and actions of the Office itself, as well as from the results of an empirical study based on in-depth interviews conducted with the occupiers of the position of the National Ombudsman as well as representatives of collective civil society organisations. The exercise of civic participation through the Office is illustrated by describing a case drawn from Bulgarian practice – the protests of workers and employees in defence of their rights to unpaid wages and other compensation in 2017 – which resulted in changes to the legislation championed by the Ombudsman. The Office is not above criticism and the article concludes with some suggestions for how the relationship with civil society could be improved and how the Office could better achieve its goals of strengthening civic life and, in particular, the perception among citizens that they do have the power to influence decision-making within the country.
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