Construction, Estonia, EU – Baltic States, Labour Unions, Legislation, Markets and Companies

ETUC's chairman Peep Peterson explained that the discussion is in the initial stage and progress can be expected in the autumn, but he confirmed that ETUC has really started to look for contacts, that would help create a trade union with considerable influence and a good services package.

Peterson said that several major branches of labour are not covered with trade unions in Estonia, and pointed out the banking sector and the construction sector.

Peterson said that it would be a major advantage if the joint union of Estonian and Finnish construction workers could be formed since thus the legal aid and support of different funds could become quickly accessible to Estonian construction workers.

Peep Peterson said that a factor making it easier for the joint trade union to start working is that many Estonian construction workers already work in Finland and world practices have shown that the integration of labour markets of states that work together in a trade union plays a critical role in that trade union's success.