Next year, salary increases are expected in the defense sector. All Riigikogu factions agree that the salaries of police officers, firefighters, and teachers should also increase. However, the state has no funds to raise the salaries of regular officials.
Finance Minister Jürgen Ligi said that the budget is in deficit. In the public sector, salary increases could only come through reallocation of funds. Ligi emphasized the important role of state officials, but the competitiveness of the public sector is declining, and salary increases are non-existent.
According to Peeter Tali of Eesti 200, only employees in the defense, internal security, and education sectors should receive salary increases. Finding funding depends on the results of summer forecasts and budget negotiations.
Eesti 200 has reached an agreement with the Reform Party in the field of national defense. "Salaries must rise because it is people who defend the country, not weapons," said Tali.
Social Democrat Tanel Kiik argued that in the long term, a progressive income tax should be implemented and tax benefits for the wealthy should be abolished. He also noted that the state must take loans to cover expenses.
Isamaa leader Urmas Reinsalu said that salary increases should occur along with a reduction in governance costs. He suggested reducing governance costs by 300 million euros.
Estonian Conservative People's Party member Rain Epler stressed that the salaries of firefighters, police officers, and teachers should be higher. However, salaries in ministries and large institutions should not increase.
Center Party member Lauri Laats argued that in the public sector, priority should be given to raising the salaries of firefighters, police officers, and teachers. He also suggested reducing the number of officials and transferring some of them to the private sector.