Bulgarian nurses stage second national protest

Bulgarian nurses staged a second national protest on 21^st of March. They blocked the square near the church of St. Nedelya in Sofia, where the Ministry of Health is located.

They demand higher salaries and changes to the Act on Professional Organisations. The discontent came despite the health minister's assurances that a large portion of 30 million BGN, which the cabinet allocated to district and municipal hospitals, will be used to increase the remunerations.

In Sofia, the protesters gathered in front of the health ministry and threatened to put up tents. They said that if they do not get salary increase they are considering effective protests, which means they will stop working. The organisers said there would be protests every day.

There are protests in over 40 cities across the country. Ombudsperson Maya Manolova met with medical specialists from Kyustendil. She supported them and said she would be with them until their demands were met.

The medical specialists in Kyustendil joined the national protest, demanding more decent working conditions and pay. The requests of protesting nurses, midwives and laboratory workers are that the remuneration for all healthcare specialists is equal to at least two minimum wages. They also want regulated rules for additional remunerations and extra pay for night work.