Bulgaria - police hold smoking protest over lack of bonuses..

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December 14, 2009 - Around 500 police officers have gathered to smoke in front of the Bulgaria Interior Ministry in Sofia to protest over unfair treatment against them.

Police officials said that the reasons for the smoking protest is the ongoing lack of dialogue between management and employees and the protests also mark one year since the first such protests in Bulgaria.

The Bulgarian police officers are reported to be outraged by the fact that the judiciary will be provided money for bonuses and wage supplements where as the police force will not be given any extra money.

Earlier Saturday police officers also gathered outside the local Interior Ministry offices in Pazardzhik to protest.

May 15, 2009 - Bulgarian lawmakers voted to ban smoking in all public places from June 2010..

Reference: ULGARIA POLICE HOLD SMOKING PROTEST OVER LACK OF BONUSES, Sofia Morning News, 12/14/2009.

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Click on image to enlarge, Earlier Saturday, December 12th police officers also gathered outside the local Interior Ministry offices in Pazardzhik to protest. Photo by Sofia Photo Agency.