The data I have, and they are official from the National Social Security Institute – show that currently 4779 people in the Ministry of Interior system receive both a salary and a pension. There are several more, nearly 2000, who work as administrators – under the Civil Servant Act and the Labor Code. But the figure is truly shocking. We cannot see such a thing anywhere in the world. And until 7-8 years ago this was also prohibited in Bulgaria.” He stated this in “Hello, Bulgaria” on Nova TV, lawyer and former Minister of Internal Affairs Vesselin Vuchkov, commenting on the topic of personnel in the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the data showing that many people are allowed to receive both a pension and a TELK, and at the same time be taken to work.
And he explained that police officers and firefighters are not administration. This is the so-called first category of labor, which is accompanied by early retirement and 20 salaries of severance pay. "We as a society have decided that there are more dangerous categories of labor, including police officers and firefighters, which is why these people deserve to have a good salary and protection bonuses. So, when they turn about 55 years old – the law allows it – police officers and firefighters retire. They get a document and from the next month they start receiving a good pension. And at the same time, a relatively high salary – from the beginning of this year. Also, pay attention – this lasts about 5-6 years, until they reach the age of 60, when the computer automatically removes them from the system", Vuchkov pointed out.
When asked if they can perform their official duties in such a case - he emphasized: "With advancing age, obviously, skills gradually weaken, especially the physical fitness of such employees. But the very fact that you are allowed to receive both a pension and a salary is in itself very dubious and reprehensible, because for them, life prospects also change. From the moment you become entitled to a pension, you cannot be expected to be serious and to conscientiously perform your professional duties to the end, as the law requires. Because in practice, your pension is absolutely secure – you receive it every month – and at the same time you have a supplement in the form of a salary".
According to him, this is precisely what has led to the system being blocked in terms of career development. "Career development is blocked. Among other things, almost all managerial positions are currently occupied – with few exceptions, by police officers and firefighters who are also pensioners. Moreover, from a purely financial point of view, the cost for these employees is enormous", he is categorical.
But he was categorical that the police officers and firefighters are not to blame for this situation. "Those who, through political decisions, allowed this to happen are to blame. And this is something we do not observe anywhere else in the modern world".
And he stated that there are also employees in the Ministry of Interior system who have TELK decisions, but are on active duty.
He also commented on the clip with the dangerous driving of a NSO car on the Karlovo-Plovdiv road: "The laws and an ordinance allow driving a motor vehicle with a special regime at a higher speed, including leaving the roadway in some situations. But there is always a very general, common legal condition, which is referred to in the legal norms – they should never endanger someone's life and property. There is a categorical prohibition on driving, in all cases, in a dangerous manner. So, in this case, it seems to me that the NSO employees have slightly exceeded these legal prohibitions".
And he added: "That is why it is good to conduct a more qualitative inspection in order to calm public opinion a little. Because in the context of writing budget laws, powers of services and quasi-police powers of NSO employees, disputes about the heads of the service - it is good to clear up these things. And I am sure that such incidents should not be allowed".
In his words, the question should be clarified whether it was necessary to move in this way? "There was a danger to other road users. What the hell did the protected person do - he came to visit Bulgaria, he completely surrendered himself to the services of the Bulgarian NSO service", he said.