National statistcis employees protest for higher wages

Employees of the national statistics staged a protest on October 11. They are demanding better pay.

The National Statistical Institute (NSI) workers want the increase to be the same amount for everyone, with a minimum of 50% in the item "Staff costs" or 11.5 million leva on an annual basis.

This should allow for an adequate increase in the salaries of the employees as well as attract qualified personnel into the system.

The employees of the Territorial Bureau of Statistical Research in Smolyan support the protest of their colleagues from the country. "Civil servant is not a dirty word", "There is inflation for us too", "Decent salaries in NSI is equal to timely and accurate statistics" - these were some of their slogans.

The protesters said their remuneration was in 114th place in terms of public sector wages. The salary of a chief expert at the bureau is BGN 1,280. They have not received subsistence allowances and seniority grade for years. The protest is by the trade unions and the demand is for at least a 20% increase in the salaries.

Images by Velichka Petkova