Bulgarian Prison Guards Stage a Protest

Bulgarian prison guards staged a protest on 31^st of January demanding 20% pay rise, better working conditions and increase of staffing levels.

The protests took place outside court buildings across the country.

Ivaylo Grigorov, a member of the prison trade unions says that they have been negotiating with the Ministry of Justice for 6 months, and it is of the opinion that the demands are fair, timely, adequate and legitimate. He added that there was no reply from the Ministry of Finance, to which 15 days ago a letter was sent for updating the 2018 budget. This is an indication of the attitude towards the security sector. He explains that prison staff and Ministry of the Interior officers work under the same law and the Inetrior minsitery revceived 100 million for pay rise.

Prison staff protests will be held today in more than 20 towns in Bulgaria.

On 29^th of January, prison staff again staged a protest. Their demands included 20% higher wages, equalisation of social benefits with those of MoI employees, and increase of staffing levels. Trade unions said they are ready for a national protest in February.