Ministry of Defence acknowledges Merko for supporting national defence

At the ceremony held on 18 June, Estonian President Alar Karis, outgoing Commander in Chief Gen. Martin Herem and Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur thanked companies, employers and institutions that support the people involved in the peacetime national defence of Estonia. Merko was among those who received a letter of commendation.

The Estonian Ministry of Defence thanked Merko Ehitus Eesti for making what it said was an outstanding contribution to national defence, handing over the silver level of the Supporter of Defenders of the State award, an official decoration of the ministry.

Above all, Merko contributes by doing its everyday work in the best possible manner. We create buildings and infrastructure that allow defenders to do their own work in the best possible manner, in a physical environment that is as comfortable and modern as possible, with optimum conditions for developing defence capabilities.

Over the years, we have built diverse national defence projects in Ämari, Tapa, Jõhvi and Võru and also worked on the Nursipalu firing range. Merko and our able partner GRK have built modern border infrastructure in the first stages of work to shore up the Estonian south-eastern border – a total of more than 60 kilometres. Merko currently has a number of national defence projects in progress. We always put in 100% effort in our work, which has earned us recognition for completion of several defence projects ahead of schedule.

We support, recognize and encourage our employees to contribute to national defence as well. We were the first of 63 companies to be credited by the EDF general staff for preserving employee income while they are on reservist training. Under that 2018 decision, we ensure that reservists and Defence League members retain their salary as stated in the employment contract and all agreed benefits while they are taking part in reservist training.

Merko employees prioritize the need to defend the country and in spite of their busy work schedule, they have always found time to take part in reservist training or compulsory military service as conscripts. The executives at Merko have also taken part in special national defence courses to gain knowledge of how to make a difference in this field as Estonian citizens, employers and business people.