KNSB labour union disapproved a number of items listed in draft budget 2007, KNSB's deputy head Plamen Dimitrov told a press conference on October 25.

Suggested changes to tax regulations could not deal with poverty, Dimitrov said. Only 25 per cent of the budgetary income resulted from direct taxation, said he.

Since the International Monetary Fund (IMF) only monitored Bulgarian policies instead of suggesting regulations, officials had freedom when it came to financial policies, KNSB representative Ivan Kokalov said.

Bulgaria's budgetary surplus for 2006 was going to be 2.5 billion leva, KNSB said as quoted by Focus news agency. At least 400 million leva could be used for Christmas bonuses for employees and pensioners, KNSB said.

Another KNSB suggestion involves wage and pension increase from January 2007, instead of from June.

More funds needed to be allocated for healthcare, KNSB said. Funds for education in the draft budget reach 4.2 per cent of the GDP. KNSB suggests an increase to five per cent of the GDP.