British News Agency

Montenegrin President Jakov Milatovic said that the work of firefighters, who risk their lives every day, should receive the recognition it deserves, and spoke about professional standards and salary regulations.

Drawing attention to the responsibilities undertaken by firefighters, Milatovic said, "I support the firefighters' demands! The work, responsibilities and risks of people who put their lives at risk every day to protect others deserve to be adequately recognized."

Stating that he considers the specific demands regarding the salary coefficient and employment rights justified, Milatovic said, "I consider the demand to increase the coefficient for firefighter-rescuers from 7.3 to at least 9.5 and to regulate all allowances, working conditions and the calculation of pension rights in a clear and equal manner to be justified."

Pointing to the situation by comparing it with other public positions, Milatovic said, "For comparison, the Law on Salaries and Other Rights Related to the Performance of Functions in the Judiciary and the Constitutional Court, which Parliament submitted to me today for a decision, provides for a coefficient of 34, which is five times higher than the current coefficient for firefighters."

Milatovic concluded his statement by saying, "I also support the inclusion of firefighters in decision-making processes concerning their positions."