'Slovakia' Party Warns Net Pay Falling for Police, Firefighters and Rescuers

Bratislava, 10 February (TASR) – The opposition's 'Slovakia' party warns that net wages for police officers, firefighters and mountain rescuers are falling and it blames the current government, saying the cabinet has thrown these professions overboard. "The net pay of police officers, firefighters and mountain rescuers, who are meant to guarantee our security, is going down. And I ask, on behalf of these police officers, firefighters and mountain rescuers, whether this is intentional. Is it meant to be intentional? Is it intentional? Is the government of Robert Fico (Smer-SD), together with Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Voice-SD), taking these steps precisely because they want to completely dismantle internal security?" asked MP and former interior minister (2020-23) Roman Mikulec ('Slovakia'–For the People) at a press conference on Tuesday. Mikulec accused the government of having resigned from its responsibilities. He believes the cabinet should start addressing wages and working conditions for the people in the affected professions. The MP also criticised Sutaj Estok for unfulfilled promises. "A minister who two years ago promised stability and a better life for police officers is today spending thousands of euros in cash on holidays, Formula 1 and luxury, while people in uniform see their wages fall," he added. mf/df