Abazović spoke with Šuškavčević: The state is not deaf to the demands of members of the Police Administration

Prime Minister Dritan Abazović met today with the President of the Trade Union of the Police Administration, Mladen Šuškavčević.

As stated in the Government announcement, Abazović listened to and accepted the demands of the Union of the Police Directorate and qualified them as justified, stating that the state is not deaf to the demands of members of the Police Directorate.

"In this sense, Prime Minister Abazović expressed his willingness to show full support to the Government with the aim of solving the problem of salary increases and other ongoing issues that have plagued members of the Police Administration for years. In addition, it was agreed that in the coming period, through the line ministries, activities in with the aim of permanently solving the problem of police officers", the Government announcement states.

The Trade Union of the Police Administration announced that a meeting with Abazović was held on their initiative.

"On that occasion, President Šuškavčević pointed out that the salaries of police employees have not increased since 2016, and that it is time to improve the material status of police officers as soon as possible, as was done with employees in health care, education and the army. Saša Radonjić, The Coordinator of the Center Region and member of the Presidency pointed out that we are the only police force in the wider region that has not signed a Collective Agreement and that this issue, after the salary increase, is a priority issue that must be regulated as soon as possible," the statement of the Union of the Police Administration states.

They also add that one of the important issues is for the status of police officers and solving the housing needs of employees, with which Abazović, according to the press release, fully agreed.

"At the end of the meeting, it was concluded that a meeting should be organized as soon as possible with the Minister of Internal Affairs, Filip Adžić, and the Minister of Finance, Aleksandar Damjanović, in order to define a model for increasing employees' wages and returning part of the funds for April, May and June wages. Also, one of the conclusions is to agree and sign the Collective Agreement as soon as possible. In relation to solving housing needs, President Abazović pointed to the possibility that the Government of Montenegro cede construction land in Podgorica and other municipalities where there is a real possibility for the construction of housing facilities for employees in the security sector "Also, he agrees that the Government, according to financial possibilities, will help the residential construction projects that will be built," the announcement states.

It is added that Abazović "gave his full support in solving all the presented requests and that they will be the Government's priority in the coming period".