Slovenian spies stage "secret" strike to demand higher wages

Slovenian spies stage
By bne IntelliNews December 8, 2017

Workers from the Slovene Intelligence and Security Agency (SOVA) have reportedly gone on strike, demanding higher wages and better working conditions. 

The move has raised concerns about national security, since part of SOVA employees’ role is to protect national security. However, the government says that SOVA is still carrying out its duties despite the strike.

Just like their work, Slovenian intelligence workers kept their strike secret, but details have gradually leaked to the media. As local weekly Reporter wrote, “Slovenian spies are on strike so secretly no one knows they are on strike”. According to Reporter, the strike started on December 1 and is due to last until December 8.

Despite low profile of the strike, Slovenia's Public Administration Minister Boris Koprivnikar described it as "surprising and unique”, and he stressed that Slovenia's spies are required by law to ensure the basic functioning of SOVA, AP reported.

SOVA states on its website that its basic activity is to protect national interests in the security, political, and economic fields, ie to provide national security.

Spooks have complained about their poor salaries and working conditions, even though, according to Reporter, they have considerably higher earnings than other civil servants, and receive additional benefits and pension payments.

SOVA claims on its website that salaries of its employees are “comparable to the salaries of other civil servants”.

However, the strike may be short-lived. A source confirmed to Reporter that management and workers’ unions are in talks and are likely to find a solution soon.

 

Related Articles

bne IntelliNews Southeast Europe Outlook 2024

This Southeast Europe Outlook 2024 has been prepared by bne IntelliNews as part of a series of annual reviews providing updates on the geopolitical, macroeconomic and commercial state of ... more

Slovenian banks’ pre-tax profit surges 123.5% y/y in January-September

Slovenian commercial banks achieved €819.1mn in pre-tax profit during the first nine months of 2023, representing a surge of 123.5% compared to the corresponding period last year, the Bank of ... more

Slovenia’s NLB bank to increase deposit rates to stimulate long-term savings

Slovenia’s largest bank NLB said on August 24 that it decided to raise deposit interest rates starting from September 1 to encourage customers to consider longer-term maturities. According ... more

Dismiss