Funding for the bonuses awarded to Podgorica firefighters has been allocated from the Capital City Budget, with each firefighter receiving a total of 1,500 euros, as announced today by the Office of the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Milojko Spajić.

“In light of public reactions regarding the agreement between the Government and the Capital City to reward the firefighters who helped extinguish the fire, it is crucial to clarify that the wages, including bonuses, for members of the protection and rescue services are under the authority of the employer, specifically the local government. Therefore, in this instance, the bonus payments to the firefighters are sourced from the Capital City Budget, amounting to 1,500 euros each. Furthermore, recognizing the challenging conditions faced by the protection and rescue services, the Government will also fund a seven-day stay for all participating firefighters, not just those from the Capital City, at the ‘Dr Simo Milošević’ Institute,” the statement reads.

Spajić’s office further noted, “With full respect for the circumstances and recognition of the efforts of every member of the protection and rescue services involved, the Government will treat any initiative put forth by other local governments equally. We will thus support any such engagement that serves the public good.”

“The Government will also express its approval for the proposal from the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MUP) to provide engagement bonuses to MUP members, as well as the proposal from the Ministry of Defense for members of the Army of Montenegro who participated in firefighting efforts. Local governments whose protection and rescue service members were engaged recently are encouraged to adopt a similar stance as the Capital City to acknowledge their contributions,” the statement from Spajić’s office concludes.

Spajić and Podgorica Mayor Saša Mujović announced two days ago that the Capital City will financially reward the firefighters with 1,500 euros each, or 500 euros per month over the next three months, with the Government’s consent.

The president of the Professional Union of Firefighters of Montenegro and commander of the Nikšić Protection and Rescue Service (SZS), Goran Tripković, mentioned yesterday, “We left Nikšić to assist Podgorica, yet only their firefighters received rewards.”

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