Members of the special units of the Kosovo Police during their protest in front of the Government building. November 1, 2023. Photo courtesy: Gentiana Kadrija (RFE/RL)
Nov 1,
2023. Posted by Balkan Periscope - Hellas
Pristina.
Members of the Kosovo Police’s Special Intervention Unit and Explosive
Ordnance Disposal Unit staged a protest outside the Government building in
Kosovo, calling for a reevaluation of job hazard categorization.
Last week, the Kosovo Government announced additional compensation for job hazards, categorized into seven groups.
A representative of these elite police units stated that their demands
include being recognized as special units and included in the list of experts,
having job hazards defined at 50% of the base salary, and receiving extra
compensation for specific job conditions.
He also expressed hope that representatives of these units would meet with
Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti soon and that the Government would consider
their demands.
These two units also expressed discontent about not being included in other
additional compensation schemes.
Members of these police units are certified for counterterrorism, hostage
rescue, and cases involving national security, specializing in handling
explosive threats and bombs, according to the protesters’ representative.
He mentioned that these units intervene in situations where the hazard
level is considered extreme.
“Moreover, these two units have consistently displayed high professionalism
in executing their duties, successfully conducting numerous police operations
over the years, particularly in the most sensitive regions of the country,
continually safeguarding the state’s integrity and sovereignty,” said the
protesters’ representative, all of whom wore masks.
Protesters revealed that their dissatisfaction dates back over a decade.
“In the beginning, the non-fulfillment of our demands was due to the
absence of the Salary Law. However, even nine months after the approval of this
law, our demands have not been considered. On the contrary, hazard
categorization has decreased, and a specific increase we had enjoyed since 2010
has been completely revoked”.
On October 27, the Kosovo Government introduced additional compensation for
members of the Kosovo Police.
The additional compensation is divided into seven categories, depending on
police officials’ positions.
For elite units like the Special Intervention Unit, Rapid Response Unit,
and Close Protection Unit, the additional compensation will be 150 euros above
the base salary.
Meanwhile, for the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit, the government
announced that the additional compensation would be 120 euros.
The Government stated that these extra compensations would come into effect
in November, coinciding with the implementation of the Salary Law.
Salaries for Kosovo Police officers start at 210 euros per month for police
cadets and go up to over 1,500 euros per month for the General Director.
The Kosovo Police was established 24 years ago and currently has over 9,000
members with various ranks.
They do not have health or life insurance.
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