Estonia's rescuers and medics say budgeted pay rise falls short

Estonia's government has finalized next year's state budget, including a modest pay increase for public sector workers such as rescuers and medical staff. However, the employees themselves and their unions consider the raise almost negligible, since it barely exceeds projected inflation.

Kalle Koop, head of the rescue workers' union, says rescuers currently earn a gross salary of €1,606, and from 2027 this will rise by 3%, or €48, to €1,654. By comparison, the average wage in Estonia is €2,243. The union considers a fair target to be 1.2 times the national average wage.

Staff shortages

The Rescue Board employs around 2,100 people, of whom 1,700 are professional rescuers, while more than 3,000 are volunteer rescuers. There are currently 34 open vacancies, but the real shortfall is estimated at around 100 people. New recruits often leave the service after a short time once they experience the workload alongside the low pay.

Ulvi Tasane, president of the healthcare workers' union, says wages rose just 1.5% last year and 5% this year, which is effectively zero growth once compared to inflation. She warns that more than half of healthcare workers are considering leaving the sector entirely, and 70% are thinking about leaving the public system. Nurses and care workers are in especially short supply, with their average pay roughly a third below the national average.

Unions stress that a strike is not currently on the table, but they want dialogue with the government and a clear plan for reaching their wage targets. Finance Minister Jürgen Ligi (Reform Party) has urged unions to soften their tone, arguing that rescuers' pay is growing in line with inflation and that the state has already made some budget reallocations in this area.