Estonia's Specialized Care Sector in Crisis, Demands Additional Funding

Estonia's specialized care sector has signaled to the government and the Ministry of Social Affairs that the system is in crisis. Problems include a critical shortage of personnel, low salaries, and occasional real threats to people's safety. Approximately 2,000 people are on waiting lists for nursing homes, 800 of whom need a place immediately.

Kalle Liivamägi, head of the Government and Local Government Employees' Union (ROTAL), noted that this work is undervalued and working conditions need improvement, along with hiring sufficient staff. Currently, salaries do not reach €1,400. The union believes the funding model for specialized care must be changed so that per capita fees cover actual costs. The system now operates on low staff wages, overwork, and constant savings by service providers.

The union demands that the minimum wage for social workers and leisure activity organizers be at least 80% of the national average, or about €1,700 gross. If politicians make an appropriate decision, a strike may be avoided. Liivamägi emphasized that social workers are not vocal, have resigned to the situation, and provide services to the best of their ability, but their voices are barely heard and they are relatively fragmented.

The Ministry of Social Affairs plans to request an additional €200 million over the next four years, of which €123 million would go towards wages and training for care institution staff. According to Liivamägi, this only addresses current problems. The union has urgently proposed meeting with officials.

Liivamägi recalled a March incident where a client attacked a caregiver with scissors. He noted that safety issues fall under the Social Insurance Department, and the problem is not being adequately addressed. At night, one staff member may be responsible for 30 clients, which does not account for service quality and working conditions.

To create new places and raise wages, the Ministry will request an extra €200 million during autumn state budget negotiations. Chancellor Maario Mändmaa expressed hope that after the State Court's spring ruling, the government will take the ministry's funding request more seriously.