The Prison Service plans to hire over 300 new employees in Tartu for Swedish prisoners. Their salary starts at €2,400 per month and can increase to €3,000 if employees receive additional rights.
The head of PPA, Egert Belitšev, says that patrol police officers in Tartu receive €2,100 per month. If prison guards earn more, it will make it harder to recruit police officers.
Belitšev notes that police officers work for Estonia's security, risking their lives. The current salary policy may push people to leave the police force.
Member of Parliament Heljo Pikhof asked Justice Minister Liisa Pakosta how to prevent the Swedish prisoners' project from exacerbating staff shortages in other departments.
Pakosta says that recruitment will be gradual, and the project's goal is not to create competition but to enhance the capabilities of the entire sector. She adds that disproportionately high salaries are not expected in Tartu Prison.
Belitšev says that recruitment creates competition because Estonia does not have enough workers. He also expects an increase in police salaries to ensure security.
The head of the Rescue Board, Margo Klaos, says that rescuers risk their lives every day, and their salary should be at least 1.2 times the Estonian average. Today, rescuers' salaries are lower than those of prison workers.
The Swedish Parliament approved the prison rental agreement between Estonia and Sweden last Wednesday. The first prisoners will arrive in Tartu as early as August. For the agreement to come into force, it must be ratified by the Estonian Parliament, which may happen on June 10.