site.btaFive Magistrate Organizations Disagree with Proposed Change in Order of Determining Their Salaries

Five Magistrate Organizations Disagree with Proposed Change in Order of Determining Their Salaries

Sofia, October 27 (BTA) - Five organizations of magistrates in Bulgaria have sent a letter to the Prime Minister, the National Assembly Chair, the Finance Minister and the Justice Minister. The letter, received by BTA on Tuesday, reads that they firmly disagree with the proposed change in the order of determining the amount of the main monthly wage for the lowest judicial, prosecutorial and investigative positions. The proposal is part of the draft 2016 national budget elaborated by the Finance Ministry.

The letter has been sent by the Union of Judges in Bulgaria, the Association of Prosecutors in Bulgaria, the Chamber of Investigators, the Bulgarian Judges Association, and the Association of Bulgarian Administrative Judges.

The manner of determining the monthly wages is an attempt at conducting a purposeful policy that demonstrates the imposing of a forceful decision which is not consistent with the Judiciary's independence and shows disrespect for judges, prosecutors and investigators, the letter reads.

The five organizations call on the immediate withdrawal of the proposal, according to which the main monthly wage for the lowest judicial, prosecutorial and investigative positions will be determined not under the order set in the Judicial Power Act but by the National Assembly through the annual National Budget Act.