Estonian Doctors Continue Salary Negotiations with Mediator
Estonian Doctors Face Salary Freeze, Threaten Exodus
Tallinn, Estonia – Negotiations over salary increases for Estonian healthcare workers are heating up, with teh government proposing a four-year salary freeze. This proposal has been met with strong resistance from medical professionals who are demanding a raise to keep pace with inflation.
For the past 12 years,salary negotiations for doctors,nurses,and caregivers have been conducted through collective bargaining agreements. last year, the minimum hourly wage for healthcare workers increased by 20%, followed by a 10% increase this year. While a further 10% increase was planned for 2025, the government is now proposing a freeze, citing budgetary constraints.”We are willing to accept a salary increase that simply covers the rising cost of living due to inflation,” stated Katri Rehemä, general secretary of the Estonian Medical Association.
However, the Health Insurance Fund, responsible for covering healthcare costs, estimates that providing even a modest inflation-adjusted raise would require an additional 35-45 million euros. these funds are not currently allocated in the upcoming budget.
Pille Banhard, a member of the Health insurance Fund’s board, warned that the fund is already facing a notable deficit in the coming years. She emphasized that even a 1% salary increase for healthcare workers would require nearly 11 million euros.
Banhard also cautioned that the proposed budget cuts could lead to reduced access to healthcare services next year.
Doctors are warning that they will leave the Estonian healthcare system or seek employment abroad if their salaries are not increased. This scenario echoes a previous period without collective bargaining agreements, when approximately 100-150 doctors and other healthcare professionals left Estonia annually.
“we absolutely do not want to see this situation repeat itself,” Rehemä stressed. “If this agreement is not reached now,its no longer just about money,but about a crucial political decision.”
Health Minister Riina Sikut acknowledged that the government did not discuss the issue of healthcare worker salaries during budget negotiations, stating that salary increases for medical professionals are not decided by the government.Both sides are scheduled to meet with a state mediator in mid-January. By then, the annual inflation rate will be finalized, and the Health Insurance Fund will present its proposal for covering any salary increases.
Image is illustrative. Photo: Unsplash
Estonian Doctors Face Salary Freeze, Threaten Exodus
Tallinn, Estonia – Negotiations over salary increases for Estonian healthcare workers are heating up, with the government proposing a four-year salary freeze. Medical professionals are pushing back, demanding a raise to keep pace with inflation.
For the past 12 years, salary negotiations for doctors, nurses, and caregivers have been conducted through collective bargaining agreements. Last year, the minimum hourly wage for healthcare workers increased by 20%, followed by a 10% increase this year. A further 10% increase was planned for 2025, but the government is now proposing a freeze, citing budgetary constraints.
“We are willing to accept a salary increase that simply covers the rising cost of living due to inflation,” stated Katri rehemä, general secretary of the Estonian Medical Association. Though, the Health Insurance Fund, responsible for covering healthcare costs, estimates that even a modest inflation-adjusted raise would require an additional 35-45 million euros – funds not currently allocated in the upcoming budget.
Pille Banhard, a member of the Health Insurance Fund’s board, warned that the fund is already facing a notable deficit in the coming years. She emphasized that even a 1% salary increase for healthcare workers would require nearly 11 million euros and could lead to reduced access to healthcare services next year.
Doctors warn they will leave the Estonian healthcare system or seek employment abroad if their salaries are not increased. This situation echoes a previous period without collective bargaining agreements, when approximately 100-150 doctors and other healthcare professionals left Estonia annually.
“We absolutely do not want to see this situation repeat itself,” Rehemä stressed. “If this agreement is not reached now, it’s no longer just about money, but about a crucial political decision.”
Health Minister Riina Sikut acknowledged that the government did not discuss healthcare worker salaries during budget negotiations,stating that salary increases for medical professionals are not decided by the government. Both sides are scheduled to meet with a state mediator in mid-January. By then, the annual inflation rate will be finalized, and the Health Insurance Fund will present its proposal for covering any salary increases.