Firefighters across Montenegro say they won’t back down from demands for higher pay and improved working conditions, calling for urgent amendments to the Public Sector Salary Law and an increase in their job complexity coefficient from 7.3 to 9.5.
Representatives of three firefighter and emergency service unions, meeting in Podgorica, said salaries had remained at minimum levels despite the risks of a profession that routinely involves life-threatening situations, including fires, floods and other natural disasters.
They accused politicians of praising firefighters as “heroes” during emergencies while failing to turn that public support into concrete measures once the crises are over. The unions said years of delays in resolving their legal and employment status had left many firefighters’ families struggling financially.
The initiative, which began among firefighters in Montenegro’s central region, has now gained broader support nationwide. President Jakov Milatovic and the URA Civic Movement have backed the demands, while URA MP Zoran Mikic has prepared a legislative proposal.
A firefighter delegation is expected to meet URA lawmakers early next week to discuss the proposal. The unions are calling on all parliamentary parties to support the changes unanimously, saying political leaders must now match past praise with action.
