Kaia Vask said that the new minimum wage is lower than what the trade unions initially wanted. However, it is still higher than what the employers offered in December. "The national conciliator made a compromise proposal of 946 euros. The employers and we agreed to it. It is lower than the previous compromise proposal but higher than the employers' offer," said Vask.
Vask added that the minimum wage should increase from April 1st. "There is a separate procedure for this. The government must confirm and announce it in official notices," she said.
"I hope that next time the employers will not delay so much. The discussions started in autumn, usually agreements are reached in December. But this time it took longer," said Vask.
In December, the trade unions agreed to the proposed 956 euros. At that time, the employers offered 939 euros.
In 2025, the minimum wage was 886 euros. The minimum wage is the lowest salary for a full-time employee in Estonia. About 20,000 employees receive this salary. The minimum wage also affects some social benefits, such as parental benefits.
Every year, the Estonian Employers’ Confederation and the Estonian Trade Union Confederation agree on the amount of the minimum wage. The government confirms it with a regulation.