Request for information regarding severance pay paid to an advisor (no. 753)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
Date: 2025-06-09 23:27
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 15
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 10m
AI Summaries: 15/15 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
Eight agenda items were presented, based on an inquiry, number 753, submitted on April 17, 2025, by Members of the Riigikogu Lauri Laats, Aleksei Jevgrafov, Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart, Vladimir Arhipov, and Vadim Belobrovtsev regarding a severance payment to an advisor. Member of the Riigikogu Lauri Laats represented the inquirer. The purpose of the inquiry was to clarify why and on what basis the severance payment was made to the advisor, and whether the practice is consistent with rights and ethical balance.
The second part presented the topic that has garnered attention from the Riigikogu and the people for discussion: Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller deemed it necessary to respond to the inquirers, explaining that while Signe Riisalo’s government had employed Gerli Baida as an advisor, the payment was more of an additional fee for extra work rather than a severance payment. The issue of whether this constitutes a special exception or a growth was also considered, and discussions were held regarding good practice in the public service and the interests of the taxpayer. Finally, questions were raised regarding the public interest and media coverage, and the speech concluded with a general call to action.
Decisions Made 1
Minister Karmen Joller does not require a separate audit regarding the aforementioned severance payment; additional allowances and variable pay for officials are a standard practice according to the salary guidelines and do not create a direct conflict with the interests of the taxpayer.
Most Active Speaker
Speaker: Lauri Laats; position: other (Member of Parliament, Reform Party/positive connection). The main focus of the speech was on the inquiry and illuminating its objection and discussion, including questions from the media and the direction of the debates.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
This is Interpellation No. 753, submitted by Riigikogu members Lauri Laats, Aleksei Jevgrafov, Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart, Vladimir Arhipov, and Vadim Belobrovtsev, regarding the severance compensation paid to an advisor.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats is criticizing the ministerial reshuffle that took place in April and the payment of a severance package to Signe Riisalo’s advisor, Gerli Baida. He claims that if she continues to work within the same ministry, the compensation should not be paid, arguing that this is unacceptable to the public. He calls on the new minister, Karmen Joller, to take a clear position and investigate the return of the money.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller asked Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller to answer the interpellation.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Karmen Joller stated that the Social Chancellor did not pay Riisalo's advisor severance pay, but rather it was an additional payment for supplementary work; the decision was made and the corresponding directive signed by the previous Minister of Social Protection. Furthermore, according to the Ministry of Social Affairs' salary guidelines, this additional pay is permitted as variable compensation, the amount of which must not exceed 20% of the basic salary, and this practice is common in other state institutions. Additional work and overtime must be compensated, and a separate audit is not necessary.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller thanked [the presenter] and invited questions, while simultaneously addressing Lauri Laats.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats notes that the article published in Delfi on 15.04.2025 is false, asks whether the minister or the ministry contacted the Delfi editorial office to retract and correct those falsehoods, emphasizes that this has damaged the reputation of both the ministry and the advisor, recalls Signe Riisalo's admission, and finally asks what the ministry's actions are in light of the given answer.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
In response to the journalist's inquiry, they stated that it was a surcharge and that no further action has been taken.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller thanks the audience and invites Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart to take the floor.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart points out that salaries for officials have recently been increased across various ministries. She then asks whether her ministry plans to raise salaries in the near future as well, and what the strategy is for increasing the wages of healthcare system workers.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
According to the collective agreement, the salary increase in healthcare is 1.5% this year and 5% next year. The chancellor handles the salaries of ministry officials, and that topic has not yet been discussed.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller thanked everyone and announced that there were no further questions, adding that he was opening the debate and inviting Lauri Laats to take the floor.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats notes that he does not wish to speculate about the retrospective changes made to the payment documents, but this raises a question and constitutes a serious accusation that has damaged the reputation of the ministry, the institution, and the advisor and minister in question, and should have been addressed immediately.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Deputy Chairman thanked [the assembly/the previous speaker] and called upon the Minister to speak during the debate.
Sotsiaalminister Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller said that she reviewed the Delfi article, suggested reading its content, and noted that the headline, which mentions severance pay, should probably be more precise, because the entire text discusses a supplementary payment, and therefore they will ask the advisor to correct that headline if necessary.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller announced that the list of speakers has been exhausted, the debate is closed, and today's eighth item on the agenda has been completed.