Estonian Unions Under Attack

ESTONIA: Throughout the world, unions are protesting against new legislation proposed by the Estonian government that would dramatically threaten the work of trade unions and strip union shop stewards of existing rights and protections. Some specific problems with the proposed Employees’ Representatives Act include:

• Union shop stewards would be excluded from information and consultation and all of their existing rights and guarantees would be taken away
• Trade union representatives would lose protection of dismissal, as ILO Convention 98 requires
• Time allowed for shop stewards to carry out union duties would be drastically cut

The Estonian government is pressing to transfer shop stewards’ rights and responsibilities to “employee representatives” who are often handpicked by company management. The IMF and our affiliates are calling on Prime Minister Andrus Ansip to amend the proposed legislation and ensure the rightful protection and position of Estonian trade unions and their elected shop stewards in the workplace. “This is a blatant attack on Estonian unions and the workers they represent,” said IMF general secretary Marcello Malentacchi. “The IMF is fully committed to support our union brothers and sisters and will fight back against the proposed legislation in any way possible.” The legislation is planned to be presented to Estonian Parliament in April. E-mail or fax your protest to: Mr. Andrus Ansip, Prime Minister
E-mail: riigikantselei@riigikantselei.ee
Fax: + 372 693 5554 Mr. Jaak Aab, Minister of Social Affairs
E-mail: info@sm.ee
Fax: + 3726992209 Ms Mai Treial, President, Social Commission of the Parliament
E-mail: sotsiaalkom@riigikogu.eeMar 22, 2006 – Alex Ivanou