Today, I am standing in the Riigikogu to defend a bill that would amend the Defence Forces Service Act.
This bill is driven by the fact that for eight (!!) years, the compensation paid to reservists for attending training exercises has not been increased. For example, a soldier still receives only 37 euros per day. On top of that, taxes are deducted from this amount, meaning the actual sum received is even lower. This compensation has not been adjusted to match the rising cost of living or economic changes, making it completely inadequate by today’s standards.
According to the proposed bill, the compensation for reservists participating in training exercises should be updated—indexed—to reflect economic realities.
The indexing would be based on the current compensation, multiplied by a coefficient of 1.3.
- For a soldier, this means the daily allowance would increase from 37 euros to 48.1 euros.
- Non-commissioned officers would receive 52 euros per day.
- Officers would receive 65 euros per day.
I will tell you upfront—both the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Finance oppose this amendment. This is despite the fact that even the Chancellor of Justice has intervened in the matter.
To me, it is absurd that the government is willing to spend billions on military equipment and ammunition but completely ignores the people who actually make up the defense force. Without soldiers, all that expensive gear is just metal collecting dust.
This government’s disrespect toward reservists does not strengthen national defense—it undermines it. If we want to foster real defense capability, it cannot be just an empty slogan printed on a minister’s sweatshirt.
As Field Marshal Mannerheim once said:
“The greatest defense motivation is when people live well in their country and want to protect that well-being.”
Let’s see today how the winds blow in the Riigikogu and who truly cares about Estonia’s national defense.
/Kalle Grünthal, Member of the Estonian Parliament (Riigikogu)/
