TALLINN - In an increasingly bitter battle, the 101 members of Riigikogu (Estonian parliament) pitched themselves against the Estonian media by insisting on increasing their salary by an inflation busting 20 percent
The move has has enraged the Estonian media and much of the Estonian public. Eesti Express run as its headline March 4 'stop the endless salary rises for parliament.'
The politicians' decision comes at a time when inflation is on the rise, especially in necessities, eating into the increased wages that Estonia has seen in the last 10 years.
'The disappointment is dragging down the reputation of the Estonian nation. Parties and politicians come to your senses and agree that you can't go like this," the Eesti Express wrote in its editorial.
Politicians insisted that they need money. Evelyn Seep of the Estonian Centre party said the real issue is that the media doesn't like politicians.
"You can't get members for this money. In reality the parliament is in crisis because of underpayment," Seep told reporters.
Starting from the 1st of March, Members of Parliament are paid 49,080 kroons a month.
In Estonia, members of Parliament salary are worked out at four to five times the country's average wage. The head of Parliament, Ene Ergma, gets six times average salary and is on a salary of 73,620 kroons per month(4705 euros). The average member of parliament will get 49,080 kroons per month. There are some dissenters. Eiki Nestor, MP, said that salaries should be measured by the quality of work that somebody is doing, not by arithmetic.
The salaries and pensions of MPs are paid through the Chancellery.
The work of the Chancellery is directed by the parliamentary Secretary General, who is appointed by the Board of the parliament after public competition.
The Chancellery fulfils its tasks through departments and services.
On top of their usual salary, all Parliament members can request money back that they have spent due to their work (meals, petrol, travel costs, etc.) 's up to 30 percent of their salary. Some members of parliament take home an extra 14,700 kroons per month.
In the fourth quarter of last year, the average salary after taxes rose to 12,270 kroons per month. Teachers take home less than 7000 kroons a month.
