Estonia - Teachers paid less than promised - February 28, 2026

Teachers were promised a minimum salary increase to € 1,970 starting 1 January 2026, and the state has provided the necessary funds. However, the Estonian Education Workers' Union states that nearly ten municipalities across the country are exploiting a legal loophole to apply the higher salary rate only from 17 January. This year, the minimum salary for teachers increased from € 1,820 to € 1,970. However, because the amendments to the Basic Schools and Upper Secondary Schools Act concerning the teacher's minimum salary came into force on 17 January, the corresponding minimum salary regulation also took effect on that date.

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For more information, please contact Paul de Beer or Oana Ciuca, De Burcht (Scientific Bureau for the Dutch Trade Union Movement) p.t.debeer@uva.nl or the Head of communications at the ETUI, Mehmet Koksal mkoksal@etui.org. For previous full issues of the Collective bargaining newsletter please visit https://www.etui.org/Newsletters/Collective-bargaining-newsletter or consult the archive with all articles in our database at www.cbnarchive.eu. You may find further information on the ETUI at www.etui.org.