About 1,500 Bulgarian workers from a Kremikovtzi steel plant rallied over unpaid wages and scheduled layoffs today. The employees demanded that their socialist-run government attempt to sell the struggling plant, or otherwise aid workers affected by the global economic downturn. The steel mill's troubles are a particularly big issue in Bulgaria, since 5,000 individuals are employed there, and 90,000 depend on the factory as a source of income indirectly (e.g. suppliers). Many of the plant's workers have not been paid for three months, and are urging the government to act in order to prevent a closure. Bulgaria has been especially affected by the global recession.
See "Bulgaria steel workers rally over layoffs, pay", March 8, 2009