Thousands of Bulgarian policemen are to smoke in front of the Interior Ministry building in Sofia as a sign of protest against their low wages. Photo by Yuliana Nikolova (Sofia Photo Agency)
More than 2,000 police officers are to gather in front of the Interior Ministry's building in downtown Sofia Saturday in order to light cigarettes as a sign of protest against their low salaries.
That is a way for the policemen to express their discontent with the state policy as they are not allowed to go on effective strike.
An opinion of the Interior Ministry's employees posted in an Internet forum shows the main reason for the protest actions is the lack of a 13th salary as Christmas bonus and low wages.
The police officers also demand better equipment and improved working conditions.
The Chair of the policemen's syndicate Emil Rashev also called for reopening of the social dialogue within the Interior Ministry. In his words, this could solve the issues, and prevent the expected police protests.