KNSB and Podkrepa labour unions asked in a joint declaration for an 18 per cent wage increase this year and a 240 leva minimal wage in 2008.

Non-taxable income should also increase, unions said.

According to unions, Bulgaria is not taking care of its commitments listed in the pact for economic and social development until 2009.

The unions’ declaration said that members of the ruling coalition had differing views on social policies and the divisions on social and economic measures were deepening.

Such decision led to inadequate decisions on key economic sectors, the declaration said.

KNSB chairperson Zheliazko Hristov said that a failure in talks with officials will lead to withdrawal of the unions from the negotiations and preparations for strikes.