Estonia: Both Lemetti, Jarvik to receive compensation

TALLINN - Both Minister of Rural Affairs Mart Jarvik as well as secretary general of the Ministry of Rural Affairs Illar Lemetti, the release from office of both of whom was decided by the Estonian government on Monday, are to receive compensation from the state.

Prime Minister Juri Ratas that both the outgoing minister and secretary general are to receive compensation in the amount of their six months' salaries and will also receive the holiday pay that they have not taken out yet.

Since April of this year, the minister's monthly salary has been 5,243 euros, meaning Jarvik's severance pay is to total 31,458 euros. Since April, the basic salary of the secretary general has been 4,718.75 euros, meaning Lemetti is to receive 28,312.5 euros as severance pay.

Ratas said on Monday that he and leaders of coalition partners Isamaa and the Estonian Conservative People's Party (EKRE) made a consensual proposal to release Minister of Rural Affairs Mart Jarvik from office and the relevant decision has already been forwarded to the president.

The government also decided to release Illar Lemetti, secretary general of the Ministry of Rural Affairs, from office. Ratas said this step was necessary to restore a trusting work organization within the Ministry of Rural Affairs.