Analytics, Estonia, Labour Unions

The trade unions reached an agreement on organizing of a protest actions over the implementation of the Labor Contract Act.

The Chairman of the Estonian Confederation of Trade Unions Harri Taliga noted that representatives of more than 20 different trade union organizations met, all of whom agreed that the protest actions will be organized in June. The exact decisions will be made and guidelines will be drafted by the leadership of the Estonian Confederation of Trade Unions.

The trade unions talked about both demonstrations and a strike. Taliga assured that preparations for actions have already been launched. First, the information will have to be distributed, then permits will have to be received for organizing events and practical preparations will have to be made.

"All of the participants of the meeting agreed that the Government's unilateral plan to change the three-party agreement and cut back on employees' guarantees is not acceptable," said Taliga.

The trade unions see three options for solving the crisis that has emerged – to postpone the Labor Contract Act, to fully implement it or to change it equally in the interests of employers and employees.

Taliga rejected the statement made by Tarmo Kriis, the Head of the Confederation of Employers, who said that strikes cannot be used for achieving political objectives. He noted that international regulations provide for it and political strikes have been used in the other countries.