For decades, the Terem-Khan Krum plant in ‍Targovishte has been a cornerstone of Bulgaria’s defense ⁢industry, specializing in the repair of Soviet-era tanks⁤ and armored vehicles, including T-72s, mettbs, and BMP-1s. Though, the state-owned⁣ facility, once ⁣a thriving hub under socialist rule, now faces an uncertain future‌ due to dwindling military‌ contracts and financial constraints.

Krasimir Stoichkov, a unionist and‍ chief engineer at the plant, attributes the ⁢decline⁤ to the significant reduction in⁣ the size​ and⁣ capabilities of the Bulgarian army. “The​ army is a fraction of what it once was,‌ leading to a corresponding decrease in funding for repair ⁢factories,” Stoichkov said. “The reduced number⁢ of personnel ⁢and equipment ⁤has​ drastically impacted⁣ our workload.”

The‍ plant’s workforce‌ has⁣ shrunk‍ dramatically, from 5,600 employees to a mere 140, reflecting the decline in orders and financial stability. ‍ Stoichkov noted that the average monthly salary at the plant ranges from 1,100 to 1,200 levs, ⁢making it difficult for workers to make ends meet. “Young people are scarce here,”⁢ he lamented,highlighting⁤ the lack of appeal ​for new workers⁣ given the current conditions.

Defense Minister Atanas⁢ Zapryanov acknowledged⁣ in Parliament that state orders to Terem-Khan Krum have been scarce in recent years. The ‌few contracts awarded included the repair of several T-72 tanks for the National Military University and a Tatra truck. Delays in⁢ project​ completion have further complicated the situation, leading to delayed payments, according to Zapryanov.

Workers contend that the limited funds from these orders are insufficient ⁤to cover even basic ⁢salaries. ⁢”The money from repairing ​four machines, about⁤ 900,000 levs, ⁤is simply not enough,” Stoichkov stated.

To⁤ stay afloat, Terem-Khan Krum has been ⁤forced​ to seek contracts from private companies. However, employees say that revenue from these ventures is inadequate. They question why private⁢ companies seem to secure contracts that their factory ⁢cannot, raising concerns about the‍ fairness of the⁣ bidding‌ process.

The Ministry ‌of Defense directed inquiries to Kalin ​Dimitrov, head of Terem Holding, the parent company of the plant.⁤ Dimitrov announced that ‍he ‌has⁤ requested the resignation of the current manager of Khan Krum.

“To obtain orders, we must participate in‌ the general⁣ order,” Dimitrov stated,‌ implying a need ⁢for greater competitiveness. He assured ⁢that solutions to the plant’s problems would be ⁢found “in the ‌shortest possible time.”

However, the challenges facing Terem-Targovishte are not new. Former Defense Minister⁢ Nikolay Svinarov, recalling his​ tenure in 2003, noted that similar protests ‌over ‍unpaid salaries occurred than. “the volume ⁣of work is ⁤not‌ enough ‍to cover salaries for even half of the workers,” Svinarov ⁢commented. He criticized short-term solutions, such as temporary ‍salary increases, as ineffective.

“Terem-Khan Krum-Targovishte is a trading company and must find the mechanism and management to make more ‌efforts to provide production for it’s workers,” Svinarov added, emphasizing the need for proactive management and business⁤ development.

In 2010, workers again protested over unpaid salaries exceeding 1.8 million levs, with remuneration at a minimum. “Who can live with those 240‍ levs, let him come here and prove himself,” said Krasimira Dimitrova of Personnel, highlighting the dire financial straits of the employees.

dimo Dimov, a worker, described ⁢the meager compensation ​for his labor: “We made 50 tanks here a⁣ month ago, I took a tank of 6 leva, one ‍box of cigarettes per tank.” This starkly illustrates the low wages and ⁣the struggle for survival at the historic plant.