Finance Minister Jürgen Ligi said that the state budget is almost ready. Education Minister Kristina Kallas announced that next year, teachers, cultural workers, rescuers, and police officers will receive a salary increase.
Kallas told ERR that these employees will receive a small salary increase. The minimum salary of teachers will rise to 2030 euros. This is a 4% increase. Kallas said that the state has little money, so salaries can only be raised slightly.
The Minister of Education explained that money from the budget will also go towards increasing pensions. If the economy grows by 2.4%, an additional 350 million will be added to the budget. Of this, 200 million will go to pensions and other expenses. Very little free money remains.
Kallas said that to save money, the government must reduce investments in construction and real estate. The government should finish current projects but not start new ones.
The government will discuss the budget again on Thursday. The final budget will be ready on Monday and then will go to the parliament.