site.btaPrison Officers Organizes Series of Nationwide Protest Rallies over Low Pay

Sofia, February 10 (BTA) - The Trade Union of Prison Officers in Bulgaria said on Saturday that its General Meeting has passed a resolution to hold a series of protest rallies across the country. The prison officers demand equalization of the social status and pay of all employees in the security sector and ending the discriminatory treatment of the employees in the Directorate General of Implementation of Penal Sanctions and in the Directorate General of Court Security Officers.

In mid-January, the Prime Minister promised an extra 100 million leva for an increase of the wages of Interior Ministry officers but the prison guards are employed by the Justice Ministry and will not benefit from the increase. The Justice Ministry has promised to think of a way to increase the wages of prison guards but no decision has been announced as yet.

The trade union decided to hold a national protest rally on February 24 in front of the Justice Ministry. A national protest march is planned on March 10, to start from the Justice Ministry, proceed to the Finance Ministry and then on to the building of the Council of Ministers. Yet another national protest rally is planned on March 26, but the venue and format are to be announced additionally.

Meanwhile, rallies will be held in front of prison and court buildings in the following order: February 28, Bobov Dol, March 2, Lovech, March 5, Stara Zagora, March 7, Varna and March 9, Pazardjik.