A parliamentary committee has rejected a bill that would give parents on fixed-term contracts more protection at work. The labour, demographic and social policy committee voted down the changes to the Labour Code at first reading, with six MPs for, eight against and four abstaining.

The bill was put forward by Galya Vasileva of GERB-SDS and a group of MPs. It would give better protection for maternity, parenthood and adoption to people on fixed-term contracts.

Under the proposal, a fixed-term contract would not end until the relevant leave is over. After that, the employment would end by law.

Vasileva said the aim is to make sure a mother raising her child does not lose the right to benefits until the child turns two just because her fixed-term contract has run out.

Updated (07.10, 21:23): BTA reports that the bill was submitted by Kostadin Kostadinov of Vazrazhdane and a group of MPs, not by Galya Vasileva of GERB-SDS, as first reported. BTA also says the vote was six in favour, 11 against and no abstentions, not six in favour, eight against and four abstentions, as first reported. The bill would make National Reconciliation Day an official holiday and scrap the six-month cap on compensation for unfair dismissal. Social affairs minister Natalia Efremova said the ministry backs neither proposal.