Employment, Estonia, Insurance, Legislation, Markets and Companies

The proposal to draft a relevant amendment was carried in the 101-seat chamber with 69 votes, with no one voting against and three abstentions.

The Riigikogu tasked its social affairs committee with drafting amendments to the Labor Market Services and Benefits Act and Unemployment Insurance Act.

Chancellor of Justice Ulle Madise in mid-December proposed to the Riigikogu changing the law so that members of a company's board would have the right to get the unemployment insurance benefit when they lose their job and income.

"After a thorough analysis I find that the regulation in effect is not in accordance with the principles of equal treatment, entrepreneurial freedom and right of ownership set out in the Constitution," Madise was quoted by spokespeople as saying. In a letter to the chairman of the parliament, Madise proposed bringing the Labor Market Services and Benefits Act and the Unemployment Insurance Act into conformity with the Constitution.

Madise also said that unequal treatment like this for the fact of one's membership of the management board of a business alone runs counter not only to the Constitution but also to the government's objective to promote the development of small business.