Description
The project developped partnership between employees and employers in local municipalities and raised the competence of social partners. Activities included two conferences with partners in the labour market from four cities/municipalities including politicians and a visit to Norwegian partners, with the aim to improve knowledge on social dialogue and methods of collaboration, both at the national and local level.
The project was set against the backdrop of a significant municipal structural reform in Estonia, which saw the number of municipalities reduced by nearly two-thirds. This reform highlighted the need for stronger social dialogue, as the involvement of social partners in reforms and policies remains limited, and trade union coverage is low.
The project sought to foster bipartite cooperation between ROTAL and the Association of Estonian Cities and Municipalities (AECM). The Norwegian Union of Municipal and General Employees (Fagforbundet) and the Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities (KS) provided valuable insights and experience, drawing from their successful social dialogue practices at the municipal level in Norway.
The overall goal was to achieve better working conditions through enhanced social dialogue in the public sector. This included improving understanding of the benefits of social dialogue, establishing better systems for fair pay, and raising the competence of social partners. The project also aimed to create a network for sharing and learning among municipalities, document the need for strong organizations, and recruit more members through public campaigns.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to address several key issues and challenges in Estonia''s public sector. The social dialogue in municipalities was identified as weak, with limited involvement of social partners in reforms and policies. This was exacerbated by the recent municipal structural reform, which reduced the number of municipalities by nearly two-thirds, creating a need for stronger social dialogue mechanisms. Additionally, trade union coverage was very low, and the capacity of social partners was weak, as highlighted by the European Commission''s country report.
Two conferences were organized in Estonia with partners from the labour market, including politicians, to improve knowledge on social dialogue. A study visit to Norwegian partners was conducted to learn from their experience with social dialogue at the municipal level. Meetings/local seminars on social dialogue were held at various workplaces. Leaflets were printed to disseminate information about social dialogue, to raise employer''s awareness of social dialogue.
It strengthened bipartite social dialogue between employees and employers in municipalities, contributing to better working conditions. The competence of social partners was raised, enabling them to engage more effectively in social dialogue. The project facilitated the transfer of best practices from Norway, enhancing the understanding of social dialogue benefits. A network for sharing and learning among municipalities was established, fostering continuous improvement. The project documented the need for strong organizations and recruited more members through public campaigns.
The primary beneficiaries of the project were the employees and employers in the public sector, particularly in the municipalities involved. Additionally, the project had a positive impact on the overall economy by promoting better working conditions and fair pay systems. The project also benefited the broader community by fostering a culture of collaboration and good governance.
Summary of bilateral results
The Norwegian partner shared knowledge and experience with social dialogue, and the project promoter highligthed that they learned how to find opportunities and improve working conditions in the social field through social dialogue. The Norwegien partner organised a study visit to Norway and they participated in the final conference.