The Estonian government has made a significant change to its Public Service Act by approving an amendment that allows for bonuses of up to 50,000 euros to be paid to public officials. This amendment is designed to incentivize officials whose work provides considerable benefits to society or achieves considerable savings. Prime Minister Kristen Michal stated that this legislation aims to reward officials for making impactful decisions and fostering reforms that lead to major advances in public administration.

At a press conference, Michal elaborated on how the implementation of this bonus system would function, noting that an independent commission composed of representatives from various sectors, including media, would select the projects eligible for the bonuses. The cap for bonuses can reach up to 500,000 euros per project, further emphasizing the government's commitment to encouraging meaningful contributions from public officials. Michal believes this system will motivate workers to exert greater effort and take bold steps towards reform, particularly in cases where decisions may result in the restructuring or consolidation of departments.

This amendment reflects a broader trend in government practices worldwide, where performance-based incentives are increasingly adopted to foster accountability and efficiency among public servants. By providing a monetary incentive for outstanding contributions, the Estonian government hopes to not only improve public service outcomes but also enhance the overall efficiency within the public sector, ultimately benefiting society as a whole.