Campaign against the draft amendment to the Employment Contracts Act (TLS 602SE/602UA) in 2025
The Estonian Trade Union Confederation and other trade unions did not support the draft amendment to the Employment Contracts Act, as it significantly weakened the protection of employees' rights and the principles of social dialogue were not followed in its preparation. The draft amendment to the Employment Contracts Act (602SE, later 602UA) was submitted to the Riigikogu without taking into account the trade unions' proposals.
The draft did not take into account the role of collective agreements in shaping working conditions and did not comply with the requirements of European Union directives on collective bargaining and minimum wage issues.
The Estonian Trade Union Confederation and other trade unions considered such an approach unacceptable and launched a campaign against the bill with the aim of stopping its proceedings in the Riigikogu.
The draft Employment Contracts Act (TLS 602UA) was referred to the Riigikogu plenary session again in January 2026, after which the President of the Republic promulgated the act on 29 January. The Employment Contracts Act entered into force on 13 February 2026.
