Road construction workers staged a protest in Sofia

Road construction workers from the Bulgarian Branch Chamber "Roads" staged another protest on October 11. They want to receive their dues and they demanded the resignation of the caretaker Minister of Regional Development and Public Works, Violeta Komitova.

Protesters blocked the traffic on Dondukov Blvd. and Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd in Sofia with heavy duty equipment - nearly 130 construction machines, lorries and snowplows. Further 130 have been stopped at Tsarna Maca, organizers said. More than 2,000 people, representing more than 40 companies, took part in the protest.

The protest started at 8.30 in the morning outside the Council of Ministers. The workers said they were ready to take extreme measures. The industry leadership requested an urgent meeting with Prime Minister Stefan Yanev.

The protesters demand to be paid nearly BGN 900 million for their activities. They also demand the resignation of the line minister Violeta Komitova.

At 10.00 the Bulgarian Branch Chamber "Roads" submitted to the Council of Ministers a letter with a request for the resignation of Komitova and payment of the funds due to the industry.

The position of the ministry remains unchanged - they claim that some of the companies have been paid nearly BGN 1 billion and 400 million.

By the end of the week, they will inspect all repairs that the protesters claim have done.

At 12.00 the protest in the Triangle of Power ended, but the leadership of the branch chamber went to the RIA to hand over notary invitations for immediate payment of the due funds. A branch organization announced that they are starting a 10% reduction in staff.

Yesterday, the police announced that they would fine the drivers of heavy duty machines with BGN 30 because by law they are not allowed to enter the capital.

images by Dessislava Kulelieva, Nikolai Minkov