EIROnlineThe European Industrial Relations Observatory (EIRO) is a monitoring instrument offering news and analysis on European industrial relations. Its aim is to collect, analyse and disseminate high-quality and up-to-date information on key developments in industrial relations in Europe. It aims primarily to serve the needs of national and European level organisations of the social partners, governmental organisations and EU institutions.Controversy over extension mechanism of collective agreements- February 19, 2007 The Chancellor of Justice has declared that the extension mechanism of collective agreements in Estonia is disproportionately restrictive of freedom of entrepreneurship. However, the trade unions disagree with this position. The Ministry of Social Affairs has not yet drafted its proposal for changes to the Collective Agreements Act, which will amend the extension mechanism for collective agreements.http://www.eiro.eurofound.eu.int/2007/01/articles/ee0701059i.html Tax benefit system acts as disincentive for low-wage earners- February 19, 2007 Although the Estonian tax benefit system is relatively straightforward, it creates few incentives for low-wage earners to enter into employment or to increase their working time. These are among the findings of a recent study published in 2006 by the PRAXIS Centre for Policy Studies. Inflexible benefit schemes may in particular discourage part-time and low-paid work.http://www.eiro.eurofound.eu.int/2007/01/articles/ee0701069i.html National agreement fixes minimum wage for 2007- February 19, 2007 In December 2006, a national level bipartite agreement establishing the minimum wage for 2007 was concluded between the Estonian social partners. The agreement sets the minimum wage at EEK 3,600 (about 230) per month, which represents an increase of 20% compared to the previous year.http://www.eiro.eurofound.eu.int/2007/01/articles/ee0701029i.html New law sets out conditions for employee information and consultation- February 19, 2007 At the end of 2006, the much debated Employee Representative Act, which requires Estonian employers to inform and consult workers, was passed in parliament. This followed protracted discussions among the social partners, with the trade unions succeeding in having most of their demands met by the new legislation.http://www.eiro.eurofound.eu.int/2007/01/articles/ee0701039i.html New bus transport union accused of being management controlled- February 19, 2007 In August 2006, following tense negotiations resulting in a new wage agreement, a new trade union was formed in the largest Estonian public bus transportation company, GoBus. However, the old union is now accusing the new union of being manipulated by the company management. A similar case was found in recent years in a railway sector company, which has the same owners.http://www.eiro.eurofound.eu.int/2007/01/articles/ee0701049i.html Problem of acute labour shortage and migrant workers- February 12, 2007 A number of recent surveys have revealed a serious shortage of labour in Estonia. To solve this problem, the proposal to bring in foreign labour has been put forward. However, the social partners, including the government, are more in favour of improving the productivity of employees in Estonia than encouraging the entry of cheap and unskilled workers from abroad into the labour market.http://www.eiro.eurofound.eu.int/2006/12/articles/ee0612019i.html |