Stefanovic: Five percent of police force on strike

BELGRADE - Five percent of Serbia's police force is on strike, Interior Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic said on Monday, adding that most police officers were doing their job on Sunday by securing the Pride Parade in Belgrade.

Asked about the strike of police officers from five police unions, which started on Friday, Stefanovic told a press conference that the representatives of those unions are becoming very nervous because the new labour law strips them of the right to various privileges.

"Over the past few weeks, they have also become politicians who are telling the government and the ministry how to conduct their policy," Stefanovic said.

Only five percent of the police force have chosen to go on strike, Stefanovic said, adding that the strike is not legally defined and that no one has threatened anyone.

The minister noted that there is no money to increase salaries.

"I cannot promise higher salaries, but I want to fight to make the status better," said Stefanovic, who added that the police will get new uniforms this year.

Earlier on Monday, the officials of the unions that are on strike said that 80 to 90 percent of their working colleagues are taking part in the strike and added that statements from the Interior Ministry that allege that only five percent of union activists are on strike cannot change the actual situation on the ground.

Addressing a press conference, they said that they are pleased with the success of police security measures for Sunday's Pride Parade and requested a meeting with the interior minister.

The union representatives say that they do not seek higher salaries but want them to remain at current levels, and warned that the strike could become more...