From January 1, 2021, the non-standard working day of the police and firefighters will come to an end. GERB MPs proposed the amendment to the Ministry of Interior Act, and the parliament approved it at the first reading, “Dnes.bg” informed.
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The amendment provides for a different approach in which any work done outside the established regular working hours of up to 70 hours per quarter and 280 hours per year should be reported as overtime and compensated in cash. It stipulates that, for employees, with the exception of those with reduced working hours and shift workers, daily reporting of working hours is established.Thus, for employees of the Ministry of Interior, compensation with additional paid annual leave of up to 12 days for the work done over the established working hours on working days will be eliminated, but will be paid.
The BSP MPs demanded that the law come into force from the moment of its promulgation in the State Gazette. Filip Popov noted that the budget could be updated. Interior Minister Hristo Terziyski explained that overtime had increased since March because of COVID-19, not because of the protests. According to him, the changes have been approved by the Trade Union Federation of the Ministry of Interior and it has been agreed to come into force in 2021.
„Given the specific activities of the ministry, employees on a non-standard working day regularly work over the established working hours on working days. According to the current legislation, working on working days above the established working hours does not constitute overtime work, therefore it is not compensated with remuneration. „, the submitters of the changes motivated and added that according to them the compensation with leave means that others work overtime. while their colleagues enjoy this longer break.
GERB MPs believe that if the Ministry of Interior receives a higher salary, instead of more leave, the quality of work and motivation will increase. The leave that the police officers have accumulated as compensation for their overtime work will be maintained, and upon leaving – will be paid.
The amendments also increase the monetary rewards in the Ministry of Interior. Until now, when awarded by the Minister, his Deputy and the Secretary General of the Ministry of Interior, up to BGN 200 were given, and now the amount is increased to BGN 250. For the award given by the local chief, the amount will jump to 170 leva.
