The President of the Citizens' Movement URA, Dritan Abazović and the President of the Citizens' Association CIVIS and the well-known Montenegrin cardiac surgeon, Dr. Srđan Pavićević, sent an open letter to the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Duško Marković, in which they request that the salaries of all the highest elected officials in the next three months be reduced to 222 euros, which amounts to minimum wage in Montenegro, and all for the purpose of solidarity in accordance with the current situation, it was announced today from the Civic Movement URA.
We transmit the letter in its entirety:
Dear customer,
In this complex moment for Montenegro and all its citizens, we need solidarity, sacrifice and patience more than ever before. Faced with a situation in which the whole world, including our country, is fighting the pandemic of the corona virus COVID 19, it is necessary that we all make the maximum sacrifice together in order to protect our country and enable life to continue with minimal consequences after the end of the pandemic. History teaches us that this climate has always fought hard battles, that life was often almost unbearable, and that many citizens sought their sunshine far from our Montenegro. But we persevered. It must be so now. Every crisis is actually an opportunity, and change must always start with ourselves.
That is why our appeal is to use this crisis for the benefit of Montenegro. Believing that the toughest battles are won together, the hand of support and help must be extended and strong. This disease has erased all differences because it attacks everyone equally. Rich or poor, brave or cowardly, those who damaged this country but also those who are victims of this system, no one is immune to the virus.
As people who come from different business spheres, we have a civic obligation to offer concrete ideas that could, at least partially, mitigate the consequences for citizens. That is why we suggest that they pay all high-ranking and elected officials in Montenegro (the President of the State, the President of the Assembly, all MPs, the Prime Minister, all ministers, assistant ministers, state secretaries, directors of state agencies, administrations and regulatory bodies and the mayor of the Capital City, the Capital and the president of all municipality) in the next three months will be at the level of the minimum wage, which is 222 euros. Guided by the example of good practice in the region, specifically North Macedonia, where this measure was adopted, and where the minimum wage is 240 euros or almost 10% more than in our country, we consider it appropriate that it is also in our country, which you claim is "economically tiger", this measure is absolutely appropriate. We are of the opinion that the holders of the highest positions would show by such an act that, regardless of the scope, burden and responsibility of the job, they unequivocally share solidarity with all citizens of Montenegro.
Savings that would be achieved with this measure would amount to over 300 euros per month, which could be used to reduce social differences or reward health workers, civil protection officers or any other service that is of particular importance at such a delicate time. It was to be expected that you would initiate this yourself because solidarity is the supreme virtue. However, since that did not happen, we use the opportunity as citizens to appeal and remind high and elected officials of the obligation that they must be the first among equals in sacrifice and self-sacrifice.
The basic attribute of all modern democracies must be solidarity. This postulate must be promoted especially by public officials, which would, for the first time in Montenegro, show in action that they share the fate of ordinary citizens. Such a measure would also symbolically be a sociological-political move that awakens a sense of community and equal sacrifice.
In the hope that you will accept this proposal and in this way essentially and symbolically prove that the interests of the citizens come first, we expect you to initiate the necessary legal procedure so that the mentioned measure enters into force as soon as possible.
The most important thing is to do what we have to do, and this is definitely it. Be sure that high-ranking and elected officials will somehow make it through this period, and for many citizens it is a great uncertainty. Let's take a small step to at least partially reduce their worries and anxieties.
Čojska Montenegro must be revived in order for this country to have a future.
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