site.btaDozens of Police Officers Protest in Sofia for Higher Wages

ESD 17:59:31 29-11-2020
VE1757ES.107
107 POLITICS - POLICE OFFICERS - DEMONSTRATION

Dozens of Police Officers
Protest in Sofia
for Higher Wages


Sofia, November 29 (BTA) - Dozens of police officers from various parts of Bulgaria gathered in downtown Sofia for a protest rally to demand, among other things, higher wages in the Interior Ministry system. They insist on a 30 per cent wage increase but have failed to achieve that goal in negotiations with the government.

According to the 2021 State Budget Act, police wages will be increased by 15 per cent.

Valentin Popov, President of the Trade Union Federation of Interior Ministry Employees, said at the start of the demonstration that, in addition to higher incomes, the protesters also want a reform in the Interior Ministry system. According to Popov, this is the least reformed government department.

"There was no level ground during our negotiations with the Interior Ministry leadership. There were meetings at which they let us know what they had decided," he said.

Mothers of children with disabilities, who have spent years campaigning for better conditions for their kids, tried to join the rally but were held back by security guards. LN/VE