site.btaPrison, Court Security Officers Protest Over Low Wages

Sofia, January 28 (BTA) - Prison officers and court security officers on Monday rallied over low wages outside the prison in Sofia.

Ivailo Grigorov of the trade union of prison officers in Bulgaria said that negotiations had been underway for six months to increase wages by 20 per cent but they were unsuccessful except for a general increase by 5 per cent throughout the security sector.

In addition, protesting officers demand equal criteria for harsh working conditions with those of police officers and increasing staff. Grigorov said that a 2015 analysis established a shortage of 800 prison officers which has risen to 1,000 to date.

Krassimir Bekyarov of the court security service said that problems at their service were identical, with some court buildings guarded only by one officer.

In a letter, the Union of Judges in Bulgaria has supported the protest and called 'just" the demands of prison and court security officers.

They went on to say that they share the indignation at a double standard policy in the security sector and urged for an equal treatment of police officers and officers of the Justice Ministry in charge of the implementation of sentences.

The Union has called on state institutions to heed to the demands of the two trade unions and find a sensible and adequate solution.