1. Decent Work for Migrant Workers
E.Lepmets (Estonia)
Gdansk
13-14 September 2011

2. … A country with a negative migration balance
Estonia…
… A country with a negative migration balance
Minimal influx of foreign workers.
Reasons: - low salaries;
- low and minimal level of social security compared to more developed countries ;
- climate not the best;
- difficult language,

3. Legal framework – 3rd country workers
possibility to apply for a temporary residency permit;
with such permit possibility to work up to 6 months within a year but have to register;
Since the amendment of the Aliens Act in June 2008 an employer has an obligation to pay to a third country national a salary that is equal to at least to an average gross monthly salary of the employer’s principal activity published by the Statistical Office, but not less than multiplication of the average Estonian yearly salary by 1,24 - so called salary criterion.
Migration supervisory official carry out inspections in companies to check the compliance with the salary criterion

4. Short term work permits registered in 2008-2010 3rd country workers
2009
2010
installer of equipment or a skilled worker
155 42 4
Expert/advisor/consultant 31 10 7
Seasonal work in agriculture 19
Child minder/domestic helper/au-pair 1
Artistic activity 60
101 79
Sportsman/coach/referee/sports official 14 3
service personnel of a diplomatic representation of a foreign state 17
vocational training purposes by way of field training 6
Teacher/lecturer
Scientific research 5
Under international agreement
Total
291
204 99

5. Legal framework – EU citizens
A citizen of the EU have the right to work in Estonia starting from entering the country for three months and also, if right of residence has been granted (work permit is not needed). Family member of the EU citizen may work in Estonia in case he or she has been granted the right of residence (work permit is not needed).
Unfortunately there are very little statistics available

6. Estonian Trade union environment
Membership - ca 8%
2 central organisations:
EAKL: re-established in April 1990 (the first central organisation in 1919)
TALO: 3 branch unions left EAKL in

7. EAKL 19 branch or national unions: transport services public services
industry, including energy sector
transport
services
public services
health care
civil service and local government
education

8. Possibilities for immigrant workers to join unions
Immigrant workers may join unions the same way as Estonian workers and their rights are also protected the same way. Unfortunately there is not much interest in joining unions. The language barrier may be an obstacle (except Russian speakers) and also a general lack of interest in unions.

9. Thank you