Skopje, 19 July 2021 (MIA) — The parliamentary Committee on Defense and Security adopted Monday the proposed changes to the Protection and Rescue Act submitted by the Ministry of Defense. Once in effect, the amended law will ensure that the Army’s explosive ordnance disposal technicians get raises, hazard pay, and better retirement benefits. According to Defense Minister Radmila Shekerinska in a Facebook post, the military’s explosive ordnance disposal technicians will get over 25-percent raises and additional 35-percent payments for performing hazardous work. “Explosive ordnance disposal technicians risk their lives for our safety. Let’s thank them by caring more!” Shekerinska wrote, noting that 600 to 1,000 items of unexploded ordnance are discovered nationwide every year. In 2020, 12,300 unexploded mines were found in Bitola alone. The main goal in amending the Protection and Rescue Act is to change the status of explosive ordnance disposal technicians from administration workers into professionals with special authorizations, in line with international standards. mr/