Low salaries hinder recruitment for Estonia's emergency services
Estonia's Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) and Rescue Services Agency face staffing shortages as low pay fails to attract enough new recruits to replace retiring staff.
The Estonian Academy of Security Sciences graduated 515 students this year, 68 more than last academic year. Rector Kuno Tammearu said the academy trains as many specialists as the state needs, and interest is rising—applications increased by 20 percent. Competition for places is strong: 3.5 applicants per place in policing, 6 in rescue, and 10 in taxation.
The PPA employs around 5,000 people but is short about 200 officers. Kristi Mäe, deputy director general for development, stated that entry-level police officers should earn at least 1.2 times the Estonian average salary. The Rescue Services Agency employs 2,100 people and needs at least 100 more. Director General Margo Klaos noted that entry-level rescuers earn only 75 percent of the average wage, which is too low. He believes a proper rescuer should earn at least 1.2 times the average.
Salaries increased earlier this year: rescuers' pay rose from €1,460 to €1,600, and police minimum pay from €1,850 to €2,035. Interior Minister Igor Taro (Eesti 200) said his ministry was one of the few to receive a pay raise this year. The 10 percent increase has partially closed the gap, but employees are not fully satisfied. Taro expressed a preference for smaller, regular salary adjustments rather than larger jumps after long intervals.
Rescue workers, police, and teachers held a protest on September 2 demanding higher wages amid ongoing budget discussions.
