Justice Minister Says Just 76% of Initially Planned Payments for Penitentiaries, Court Guards
Have Been Provided


Sofia, February 6 (BTA) - Just about 76 per cent of the funds
planned initially to level all payments in penitentiaries and
court guards have been provided, Justice Minister Hristo Ivanov
said during Question Time Friday. Penitentiaries currently have
4,597 employees and courts - 1,411 guards.

Last year 14 million leva more were extended for such payments.

Prison guards from penitentiaries across the country staged
multiple protests to demand higher wages and better working
conditions.

The present number of staff cannot be retained with the funds
set aside for 2015, Ivanov explained. That is the reason for
savings - to make more payments. Ivanov also appealed to the MPs
for support in coping with the exceedingly challenging for
Bulgaria judgment of the European Court of Human Rights.

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) late in January gave
Bulgaria 18 months to create effective preventive and
compensatory remedies for prisoners who wish to challenge their
detention conditions. /BR/

/ТК/