The Estonian government is moving forward with a proposal to offer bonuses of up to 50,000 euros to civil servants whose work leads to significant societal benefits or substantial cost savings. This initiative, approved by the government, aims to align the working conditions and ethical requirements for civil servants and contractual employees, as explained by Prime Minister Kristen Michal. The intention behind this measure is to incentivize civil servants to maximize their contributions to the public sector, encouraging them to pursue projects that yield high economic returns for society.

A commission comprising representatives from various sectors, including the media, will be responsible for selecting the projects eligible for such bonuses. The maximum reward for an individual civil servant can be 50,000 euros, while the overall bonus for a project can reach up to 500,000 euros. This structure not only fosters competition among civil servants but also introduces a merit-based approach to compensation in the public sector, which has traditionally been more rigid and less incentivized than the private sector.

Alongside the bonus proposal, the government aims to harmonize employee working conditions, recruitment requirements, and salary principles across different public sector categories. Additionally, this plan will update various workplace regulations, improving the overall functioning of the public administration. The expected outcomes are more efficient and motivated civil service personnel, which could enhance public services and ultimately benefit the citizens of Estonia.