The Estonian Confederation of Trade Unions (EAKL) has an important role to play in raising the minimum wage, increasing social equality and supporting employment in Estonia. Trade unions balance the interests of workers by defending the power relations in the labour market, help to create and maintain jobs and thereby increase economic and social justice.
The existence of representative workers' organisations is good for society as a whole, because a fairer and more inclusive labour market means a more stable and stronger country.
NATIONAL POLICY AND LEGISLATION
Social partnership and law-making
The EAKL actively participates in employment, social and education policy-making through tripartite and bilateral negotiations with government and employers. It represents workers' interests in the preparation of new laws and reforms, such as the Employment Contracts Act or the pension reform, with the aim of ensuring that decisions affecting the labour market are taken by the government with a sense of social justice.
Minimum wage and pay policy
Every year, the Estonian Trade Union Confederation negotiates with the Estonian Employers' Confederation to agree the minimum wage for the following year. The EAKL also aims to reach a minimum wage of at least 50% of the average wage to ensure a fairer standard of living for low-paid workers.
Changes to the Employment Contracts Act and new forms of work
The EAKL participates in the preparation of legislation on working life and monitors legislative initiatives such as the flexible working time agreement or the protection of platform workers' rights. It insists that labour market regulation should not be based on models that can lead to insecurity for workers and shift responsibility from the employer to the worker.
The Confederation is fighting for the legal regulation of both the labour market and new forms of work to be negotiated with trade unions and governed by collective agreements.
Tax policy and easing the cost of living
The trade union confederation is campaigning for a tax system that supports income equality and reduces the pressure on people on lower incomes. To this end, the EAKL makes proposals such as lowering VAT on essential goods or introducing a graduated income tax. It also supports stricter state control of pay to reduce the payment of hidden wages.
LABOUR MARKET AND QUALITY OF WORKING LIFE
Collective agreements and negotiations
The EAKL promotes collective bargaining in both the public and private sectors to give workers better working conditions and rights. In addition, the government has drawn up an action plan to promote collective bargaining with a view to increasing the coverage of workers in Estonia to at least 80%.
The more collective agreements there are, the less employers have the opportunity to put pressure on workers individually, and the stronger workers' bargaining power and social security.
Health and safety at work
The trade union confederation is involved in the development of health and safety policies, and calls for risk analyses to be carried out in workplaces and for workers' safety to be guaranteed. In addition, the ETUC is paying increasing attention to mental health, including the prevention of stress, work-related illness and burnout.
EAKL also organises training sessions for its members on the workplace environment and develops guides on health and safety in the workplace.
Staff skills development and training
EAKL promotes access for workers to free or discounted training, especially in a context of disappearing jobs and a rapidly changing world of work. The Confederation is also a member of the Council of SA Kutsekoda and the Council of the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund to ensure the quality of training and its relevance to the needs of the labour market.
SERVICES AND SUPPORT FOR MEMBERS
Legal advice, counselling and employment protection
EAKL members can get free legal advice on employment contracts, labour and collective disputes. A lawyer can help with drafting documents, advice on discrimination and harassment cases, and trade union representatives participate in labour dispute committees. Advice is also available by telephone and e-mail.
Strengthening trade unions and membership development
The Confederation of Trade Unions trains trade union shop stewards and organises training courses and seminars on labour law and conditions. The ETUC develops the youth movement and involves new sectors of the economy to increase trade union representation in the labour market. The aim of EAKL's activities is to increase membership and strengthen collective action.
Participation in the international trade union movement
The Estonian Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) represents Estonian workers in the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), influencing working conditions and rights in Europe and around the world. The ETUC also has a representative on the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), where it shapes positions on EU policies.
In addition, trade union representatives are also involved in international working groups and committees to shape positions on issues such as social security, working time and other directives.
