Photo: Bulgarian Foundation for Business and Human Rights
Bulgarian companies still do not fully meet key international standards for workplace equality, according to a new report by the Bulgarian Foundation for Business and Human Rights (BFBHR) published on 11 November.
The report summarizes the results of the first study of its kind in Bulgaria, assessing how companies committed to sustainable business practices demonstrate transparency, accountability, and genuine implementation of gender equality principles both internally within their management structures and externally across their supply chains and stakeholder relations.
The study covers 20 Bulgarian companies from various sectors with established market positions and significant national influence, all of which have expressed a clear commitment to promoting equality in the workplace and preventing gender-based violence.
Findings show that none of the companies examined fully meet all key gender equality indicators. The main issues identified are a lack of systematic approaches, public reporting, and strategic understanding of the business value of equality. The report also highlights insufficient awareness of gender-related risks in supply chains and a lack of clear workplace harassment policies, which makes identifying, reporting, and addressing cases of abuse more difficult.
The same gap exists regarding domestic violence. Few companies have support mechanisms such as additional leave, cooperation with specialized organizations, or confidential assistance for affected employees.
Discrepancies are also noted in pay levels and women’s participation on management boards, two of the most significant indicators of workplace equality, the organization said.