Daniela Aleksieva, vice president of the KNSB union, said 544 people have joined training under its LABOUR-INT project. The European Commission funds the project to create more job opportunities for citizens of non-EU countries.

Aleksieva presented the results at a national conference, "An inclusive labour market – the Bulgarian perspective", at KNSB headquarters in Sofia. The forum focused on getting people who have received protection in Bulgaria into the country's job market. She opened it together with Giulio Romani, confederal secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation, and Tsvetomir Dumanov, executive director of Caritas Sofia.

Most trainees, 340, took courses on labour and social rights. Bulgarian was studied by 120 people and digital skills by 62, while 20 took vocational training. Participants come from Ukraine, Syria, Afghanistan and Palestine, and most are women.

Ten women finished a manicurist course and started work as manicurists straight away.

In Bulgaria, KNSB runs the project with Caritas Sofia. The two groups give people information on labour and social rights, hold one-to-one consultations and help them build skills for the job market. Participants also get targeted help to find and start a job.

Groups from different countries, with different experience, take part in the project. The partners want to find practical ways to bring citizens of non-EU countries, including migrants and refugees, into work.

Aleksieva said the value of the project lies in the exchange of good practice and in lasting partnerships between unions, employers, public bodies and civil society. KNSB's support for people seeking and receiving protection did not begin with this project, she said. The union and its partners have backed hundreds and thousands of people who arrived in Bulgaria. In her view, this takes work on the ground and help suited to the needs of each refugee and migrant.

Integration does not end when someone signs a work contract, Aleksieva explained. It also covers access to information, language training, social support, job qualifications, recognition of skills and the chance to take full part in public life. It also needs effective checks that labour law is followed, that there is no discrimination or exploitation, and that working conditions are fair.

Unions tell workers about their rights, advise them, help in labour disputes, promote collective bargaining and defend them at work, she added.

Aleksieva called on public bodies, social partners, business and civil groups to work together. The aim, she said, is that a person's origin does not stand in the way of a career, and that vulnerability does not become a tool for exploitation. Everyone's work must be respected and fairly paid.

KNSB has worked on labour integration policies, specific actions, campaigns and work on the ground for more than 25 years.