Bulgarian police officers stage mass-protest for higher wages

01/09

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Police officers from Haskovo, southeastern Bulgaria, during a rally in Sofia, holding a labor union banner. The Union of Interior Ministry Employees demands higher wages and better working conditions for police and prison guards.

02/09

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Demonstrator wrapped in a large EU flag. Labor unions from several other European countries have sent letters to Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov to support the demands of the Bulgarian colleagues.

03/09

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More than one thousand police officers and interior ministry workers gathered in front of the Black Mosque in downtown Sofia to demonstrate for more money and better working conditions.

04/09

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Demonstrators kneeling at the beginning of the rally to keep the customary minute of silence. The signs show the cities from where the participants traveled to Sofia to protest their working conditions.

05/09

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Uniformed policemen starting their motor bikes to guide the protest march through downtown Sofia. Note the different crash helmets: officers are forced to buy helmets and other crucial equipment out of their own pocket.

06/09

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Uniformed police officer waiting at a police car to accompany the protest march of his colleagues through the city center of Sofia.

07/09

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More than a thousand police officers and interior ministry employees march through the center of the Bulgarian capital Sofia to demonstrate for better working conditions and higher wages.

08/09

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Demonstrator holding a sign, blowing his whistle in front of the Bulgarian Finance Ministry in protest of the low wages. Labor union speakers where denouncing the privileges of Finance Minister Simeon Djankov and other members of the government.

09/09

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Bulgarian TV cameraman with his camera placed on the street to film the crowd of demonstrators marching toward him.

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More than one thousand disgruntled police officers rally in Sofia to demand better payment, legal amendments and a general improvement of working conditions. The demands are supported by labor unions from Germany, Austria, Spain and other countries.