More than 180 million euros - this is how much the total salary of the country's officials increased in 2026 compared to 2024, according to an information message from the State Chancellery. Can we talk about a proportional increase in the services provided to the population? The question is rhetorical...
Award for Valor
The document presented by Kristine Stone, the legal advisor of the Human Resources Policy Department, states that civil servants do not live on just one salary.
"There are generally two types of supplements to the monthly salary: special (or mandatory) and general, which are mostly assessed and provided for the performance of specific duties. Special supplements include, for example, supplements for special risk, supplements for special service rank, for conditions related to the specifics of the position (service, work), for working with a dog or horse, for diplomatic rank, and for years of service. General supplements include supplements for performing additional duties, for overtime work, as well as supplements for significant contributions to achieving the strategic goals of the respective structure. In addition, there are other types of general supplements, the provision of which has some other conditions that are not independent and may also change."
The reward system also includes one-time additional elements in the form of monetary bonuses, various types of awards, "which are mainly related to preventing threats to state security" - or for uncovering crimes that have caused or could cause significant harm. "And also a bonus according to the annual performance evaluation."
Cheers to Health!
If we believe the industry statistics, the undisputed champion among us is the Ministry of Health, where Hosam Abu Meri ("New Unity") increased the number of awardees by 19 times - from 2 to 38 people. The Ministry of Climate and Energy is also doing well. Since Kaspars Melnis ("New Unity") took over as head, the number of awarded employees has grown from 22 to 86, i.e., by 291%.
The number of stimulated employees in the Ministry of Finance has increased by only 5%. However, their number is 374! As they say: what I guard, I have.
According to current regulations, the bonus can amount to 100% of the base salary - agree, one can live like that! Overall, in the country, in 2025, a bonus, so to speak, based on the general assessment of work, i.e., not for any valor or special achievement, was received by 27,423 officials. The average amount to be paid is 1,031 euros and 3 cents.
The President of the Ministers, Evika Silina, emphasizes that digitalization should be promoted in the country - and if any position in the management apparatus remains vacant for more than 6 months, it should be abolished. Alongside this, a Unified Human Resource Management System will also be introduced in our Latvia, which will help laid-off bureaucrats not to disappear and find their place in the ranks. Now it is clear who the ruling party is counting on ahead of the elections…
