The increase in compensation amounts at state enterprises significantly exceeded the established limits.
As reported this evening by the TV-3 program Nekā personīga, the authorities were unable to "stay" within the established ceiling for salary growth in budget organizations this year - 2.6%. Financial and tax expert of the Latvian Confederation of Employers, Jānis Hermanis, analyzed the data from the State Treasury and calculated that total compensation expenses in all budget institutions over the 10 months of this year amounted to 3.46 billion euros. This is 6.7% more than the previous year.
According to Hermanis, if all institutions had fulfilled the promises made by politicians, the amount spent on compensations would have been 133 million less. The budget law included a provision. In exceptional cases, it will still be possible to request permission for a larger salary increase. The government will make a decision on each such request. Capital societies have taken advantage of this opportunity.
As early as summer, the majority of hospitals and healthcare centers approached the government requesting permission for a larger salary increase of 2.6% for nurses, their assistants, and other medical staff involved in several projects funded from abroad.
GOOO "Paul Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital"
GOOO "Children's Clinical University Hospital"
GOOO "Traumatology and Orthopedics Hospital"
GOOO "National Rehabilitation Center 'Vaivari'"
GOOO "Strenči Psychoneurological Hospital"
GOOO "Slimnīca 'Gintermuiža'"
GOOO "Coastal Hospital"
GOOO "Children's Psychoneurological Hospital 'Ainaži'"
OOO "Latvian Digital Health Center"
"National Center for Mental Health."
The enterprises of the Ministry of Transport also demanded permission to pay higher salaries to their employees - "Latvian Radio and Television Center" and Latvijas gaisa satiksme. The salary ceilings for air traffic controllers made these salaries less competitive, and state security was also weakened. Therefore, they were approved for a 25% increase this year. The Minister responsible for the transport sector, Aigars Švinķiks ("Progressives"), emphasizes that he takes responsibility for what purposes these funds are used.
Salaries have also increased, particularly at the enterprise "Latvenergo."
Economist Dainis Gašpuitis believes that the pre-election period played a role, and the coalition could not find options for significant cost savings. Tax changes have also been postponed to next year once again. The fiscal situation threatens to worsen even more, so the depletion of state enterprise pockets for several consecutive years will have serious consequences not only for these enterprises but also for the economy as a whole, believes Dainis Gašpuitis.
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