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Description
The project is to strengthen tripartite social dialogue and its effect on future new collective agreements by deriving from the flexicurity approach - finding the balance between flexibility and security in social dialogue, focusing mainly on sectoral level. The aim was to improve cooperation between workers, employers, and the government to achieve better labour market conditions.
Main goals:
- Establishing regular tripartite meetings and training seminars.
- Increasing trust between social partners
- More sector-based collective agreements through tripartite social dialogue.
- Submitting recommendations to the Ministry of Social Affairs
Key activities
- Mapping the needs in tripartite social dialogue through surveys
- Learning about the Norwegian system for collective agreements and best practices
- Development of training videos covering topics as flexicurity, social dialogue, and collective bargaining
- Seminars focusing on best practices for flexicurity in collective agreements.
- Selecting a sector for a supported collective bargaining process.
- Assessing the project''s impact on collaboration and trust.
Results
- Regular tripartite meetings that have continued through three different governments.
- Number of agreements and regulatory amendments achieved through constructive dialogue.
- Goodwill agreement on flexible working hours in retail, laying the foundation for further negotiations on minimum pay.
- Memorandum on retraining and creating replacement jobs in East-Virumaa
- Sectoral negotiations and collective agreements in healthcare and transport
The project has incentivised increased cooperation with employers, especially during economic crises. While some employers remain reluctant to accept the role of trade unions, positive examples from employer organisations and their affiliates may help change attitudes. Continued practice of tripartite social dialogue by the government is crucial for future success.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to address the challenges related to the lack of effective tripartite social dialogue in Estonia, particularly in the context of digitalisation and economic crises. Key issues included the need to balance flexibility and security (flexicurity) in labour market conditions, improve cooperation between workers, employers, and the government, and increase trust between social partners. The project sought to enhance the quality of sectoral collective agreements and influence national labour policies to achieve better working conditions and employment opportunities.
The project implemented several activities to achieve its objectives. It established regular tripartite meetings and training seminars to strengthen cooperation. Surveys were conducted to map the needs in tripartite social dialogue, and a study visit to Norway was organised to learn about the Norwegian system for collective agreements and best practices. Training videos covering topics such as flexicurity, social dialogue, and collective bargaining were developed. Training seminars focused on best practices for flexicurity in collective agreements, and support was provided for a selected sector''s collective bargaining process. The project concluded with a final evaluation to assess its impact on collaboration and trust.
The project successfully strengthened tripartite cooperation in Estonia, with regular meetings continuing through three different governments. It achieved several agreements and regulatory amendments through constructive dialogue. Notable outcomes included a goodwill agreement on flexible working hours in retail, a memorandum on retraining and creating replacement jobs in East-Virumaa, and sectoral negotiations and collective agreements in healthcare and transport. These efforts attracted interest from various groups of workers and employers. The project incentivised increased cooperation with employers, especially during economic crises, and helped change attitudes towards trade unions. The primary beneficiaries were workers, employers, and government entities, who gained improved cooperation, trust, and better labour market conditions.
Summary of bilateral results
The Norwegian partner organised a study trip and contributed with knowledge about social dialogue and collective bargaining practices in Norway.