site.btaProtesters in Sofia Demand Increase in State Funding for Emergency Medical Services

With a motorcade in the centre of Sofia on Thursday, protesters demanded an increase in state funding for emergency aid. The protest began in front of the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB). The organisers are from the Zashtita Trade Union. The protesters marched in front of the Council of Ministers, then in front of the presidency, as well as in front of the Health Ministry. Police officers guarded the protest.

Protesters demand wage increases for people working in the Centres for Emergency Medical Services and in the emergency departments of hospitals. They want the minimum wage to be BGN 1,200 for the whole country; a higher food allowance of at least BGN 8; the minimum pension to be 80% of the minimum wage; a halt to rising fuel prices.

Protesters are demanding state intervention to set the industry minimum wage. They say it should be BGN 1,700. Other demands include the revocation of the National Assembly's decision to release household electricity consumers onto the free market. The protesters said the repeal would stop the rise in electricity prices in the country.

According to Zashtita Trade Union Chair Krassimir Mitov, those people employed inn the Centres for Emergency Medical Services were lied to that their wages will increase by 20%. He said that the currently planned increase is no more than 5%.