On November 21, hundreds of police officers, firefighters, customs officers and prison staff; held a rally outside the Ministry of the Interior in Prague, demanding higher salaries and an increase in staffing. The protest was organized by the Union of Security Forces (UBS).
Interior Minister Vít Rakušan promised a salary increase of 2,500 Czech korunas starting in January, but protesters deemed this insufficient, highlighting cuts to internal security funding. They called for securing a fixed percentage of GDP for this sector, similar to defense spending.
Police and customs officers also voiced dissatisfaction with bureaucracy and staff shortages. They demanded sustainable tariff increases to avoid financial risks.
Protests are spreading across other countries: the day before, healthcare workers in Italy went on strike, while the transport sector was disrupted in Greece. In France, civil servants are preparing for a strike over the 2025 budget.
