ZAGREB, June 14 (Hina) - Croatian professional firefighters turned on the sirens on central squares across Croatia at noon Thursday, protesting against yesterday's decision of the Interior Ministry on a ten percent decrease of funds
earmarked for public firefighting units. The protest in all counties' headquarters and the city of Zagreb was organised by the trade union and association of professional firefighters. The Interior Ministry claims the trade union and association violated the law on firefighting which set the financing of firefighting units for the period between 2000 and 2004. Head of the firefighting trade union Mladen Magdic said the firefighting equipment was out-of-date and pointed out that firefighters were not insured in case of an accident for the last six months. Professional firefighters have been receiving 18 million kuna from the state budget each month, but under the new decision, this amount sh
ZAGREB, June 14 (Hina) - Croatian professional firefighters turned
on the sirens on central squares across Croatia at noon Thursday,
protesting against yesterday's decision of the Interior Ministry
on a ten percent decrease of funds earmarked for public
firefighting units.
The protest in all counties' headquarters and the city of Zagreb was
organised by the trade union and association of professional
firefighters. The Interior Ministry claims the trade union and
association violated the law on firefighting which set the
financing of firefighting units for the period between 2000 and
2004.
Head of the firefighting trade union Mladen Magdic said the
firefighting equipment was out-of-date and pointed out that
firefighters were not insured in case of an accident for the last
six months.
Professional firefighters have been receiving 18 million kuna from
the state budget each month, but under the new decision, this amount
should be 16 million kuna.
Croatia has 2,160 professional firefighters, Magdic stressed,
adding Zagreb needed at least another 150 firefighters. At the
moment, the city of Zagreb has 308 firefighter, while at least 450
are needed. Other European capitals have about 800 firefighters,
Magic said.
(hina) it sb