site.btaInterior Ministry Employees to Stage National Protest Rally on July 5

Interior Ministry Employees to Stage National Protest Rally on July 5

Sofia, June 26 (BTA) - Police officers, firefighters, lifeguards and persons employed in every other occupation in the Interior Ministry system will gather for a national protest rally outside the St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia on July 5.

The decision was made by the leadership of the Trade Union Federation of Interior Ministry Employees (TUFIME), its Board Chairman Valentin Popov told BTA on Sunday. The trade unions demand higher wages and new uniforms for the system's employees.

TUFIME are keeping in touch with other trade unions; a joint strategy for future actions will be drawn up in a matter of days, and a joint stance is already in place, Popov said.

July 5 is the professional holiday of the Bulgarian Police, but as in earlier years, it will not be a time to celebrate, he noted.

TUFIME are open to negotiations with the Interior Ministry leadership. According to Popov, two letters sent to the Minister have remained unanswered.

If future negotiations fail to yield the expected results, the protests will not be limited to the July 5 demonstration, he warned.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov ordered the allocation of about 10 million leva for summer uniforms for the police. Borissov told a national meeting of the Interior Ministry leadership that he will secure 5 million leva to buy fuel for police patrol cars so they can do their job. He said there is money for fuel and uniforms.

He ordered Interior Minister Valentin Radev to meet with the trade unions in the sector and explain to them what has been done and will be done for the police.