The Estonian Confederation of Trade Unions (EAKL) is a democratic representative organisation led by elected representatives of employees. Its governance structure is based on clear principles of transparency, representation and participatory democracy.
The EAKL is governed by a 4-level governance structure: the highest governing body is the Congress, which meets every four years, with the Council of Governors governing the organisation in between. The Executive Board meets monthly and the Chief Executive is also the President of the EAKL.
The President of the Trade Union Confederation is elected at the Congress for a four-year term, from among the candidates put forward by its members. The current President, Kaia Vask, was elected President at the IX Congress in 2023.
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Contact contact: Kaia Vask - 513 7437, kaia.vask@eakl.ee
CONGRESS
The Congress is the supreme governing body of the EAKL, which approves amendments to the Statutes, elects the EAKL President, determines the basis for membership fees and sets strategic objectives for the next four years of activity. The delegates to the Congress are elected by the trade unions affiliated to the CFTU.
VOLUNTEER
The Council is made up of representatives of the members who lead the activities of the ETUC during the inter-congress period. They set the strategic objectives of the ETUC and appoint the members of the Executive Board. It also approves the budget and the annual accounts of the Confederation and prepares the next Congress.
GUIDELINES
The Executive Board is the permanent governing body of EAKL, consisting of between seven and 14 members, including the EAKL President, and meeting at least 10 times a year. The Governing Board manages the day-to-day running of the trade union confederation, from the implementation of the budget to the organisation's working practices.
ESIMEES
The Chairman of the EAKL is the CEO of the Estonian Trade Union Confederation, who is also a member of the Executive Board, the coordinator of the work of the governing bodies. He represents the EAKL in its relations with the government, employers and cooperation partners and conducts negotiations with employers on the national minimum wage.
MEDIA
The management of EAKL is supported by a paid secretariat and regional departments. The first ensures the implementation of the activities of the Trade Union Confederation in Tallinn, while the others organise information exchange and cooperation in Tartu, Pärnu and Narva.
