Representatives of nearly 34 sectoral organizations of the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB) gathered in Macedonia Square in Sofia for a national protest demonstration organized by the CITUB.

The march, which started along Hristo Botev Blvd to get to the Council of Ministers building, is divided into blocks in which various sectors are represented. "Bring hope back to us! We will no longer endure poverty and humiliation" says a sign which the protesters carry at the head of the procession. It is headed by the CITUB leadership, including its chairman Zhelyazko Hristov.

They are followed by miners, metallurgists, carriers, university students, teachers and young scientists. The protest is supported by the National Association of Milk Producers and the Association of Grain Producers in Bulgaria.

The CITUB sent a letter to Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev on Monday, in which they insist that by noon on Tuesday he and his team should receive a representative of the civic organizations taking part in the protest.

The CITUB insist that the adoption of the law on meetings, rallies and manifestations should be stopped. They are against the freezing of wages in the public-financed sphere. The CITUB also demand that the wages of all public-financed organizations should be updated as of July. If the Government does not take measures to stop mass layoffs, the trade unions are ready for new protests, their leaders warned.