Unemployment, job quality and poverty: A case study of Bulgaria

Though Bulgaria's economy has performed reasonably well over the past five years, its labour market situation has remained bleak, with unemployment very high and poor working conditions widespread. A number of studies have focused on the rise in unemployment and its links with income poverty, recognizing also that work does not necessarily keep families out of poverty (e.g. Rutkowski, 1999). Less attention has been paid, however, to the quality of employment and its links with both income and non-income dimensions of poverty. The aim of this article is twofold: first, to identify the determinants of poverty that are mediated by the labour market in Bulgaria, drawing attention to the income and non-income dimensions of poverty; and, second, to identify the profile of groups at risk of adverse labour market outcomes. Extending the discussion on these issues is important to clarify the various aspects of vulnerability in the labour market, and to help design comprehensive policy measures that better address the problems of poverty and social exclusion.