site.btaReporters from National Radio Protest against Proposed Cuts in Additional Payments

Reporters from National Radio Protest against Proposed Cuts in Additional Payments

Sofia, May 11 (BTA) - Reporters from the Bulgarian National
Radio held a rally Monday in front of the building of the radio
protesting against planned cuts of payments journalists receive
in addition to their salaries. Provisions in the 2015 State
Budget Act required from the public medium to cut by 10 per cent
its payroll expenditure.

The protesting reporters said that the proposed cuts in the
additional payments will be between 40 and 50 per cent. They
complained that no information is available on how the
percentage was determined or why it is distributed among all
programmes of the radio.

One of the protesters said that the basic salary in the radio's
flagship Horizon programme is too low, and to perceive
themselves as dignified practitioners of the profession, the
reporters rely on additional payments.

Another protesting reporter said that it is not fair for the
legal requirements for payroll cost-cutting to be fulfilled at
the expense of the people who in practice implement the public
function of the radio. The protesters expect that the management
could change their plans and show how the administration of the
radio can contribute in the cost cutting.

At the rally the protesters carried posters saying "I am Not a
Percentage" and "Minus 43 Per Cent Quality".