TALLINN - The employee trade union of state and local government institutions, ROTAL, staged a picket in front of Parliament today, demanding a pay rise for internal security employees. ROTAL chairman Kalle Liivamagi said around 100 people took part in the demonstration, which was held shortly before a Cabinet session.
The confederation is demanding a minimum monthly salary of 7,500 kroons (480 euros) for police officials and rescuers, and 6,100 kroons for prison officials.
The picket started at 9:30 and ended shortly after 10 a.m. Justice Minister Rein Lang and Finance Minister Aivar Soerd spoke with demonstrators.
"Lang told us that our demand for prison officials' pay was too low, and that it was actually possible to raise their wages to 7,500 kroons per month. The minister apparently did not read our placards carefully enough, because we want a minimum base salary of 6,100 kroons, not a minimum salary which includes extra pay and differentiation," Liivamagi said.
The finance minister told the demonstrators that 78 million kroons was earmarked for rescuers' pay next year, Liivamagi said, adding that this amount was not enough. The proposed number would allow for a base monthly salary of 4,000 to 5,000 kroons.
Interior Minister Kalle Laanet said the government's aim was to raise the interior security sphere's minimum salary to 7,500 kroons a month by 2007. Police officers' current minimum salary is 5,300 kroons per month, rescuers 4,000 kroons and border guards 3,100 kroons.
