Estonia, Labour Unions, Legislation, Markets and Companies, Strike

Protesters, many of whom were representatives of the mainly Russian-speaking mining and energy workers' unions from northeastern Estonia, today carried slogans through Tallinn's medieval old town saying "For a decent life," and "Workers won't let themselves be fooled."

The government "keeps demonstrating a reckless and patronizing attitude toward workers," Harri Taliga, the chairman of the Confederation of Estonian Trade Unions, said in a speech at the rally.

Estonian Trade Unions Confederation organized a protest to demand dignified work, better life and respect of working people from the government, LETA/Postimees writes.

The government "keeps demonstrating a reckless and patronizing attitude toward workers," Harri Taliga, the chairman of the Confederation of Estonian Trade Unions, said in a speech at the rally. As Taliga stated, there were people from Narva, Sillamae, Kohtla-Jarve, Tartu, Voru, Parnu, and Tallinn taking part in the protest action.

He pointed out that there were three reasons behind the protest action: the government's unwillingness to hold trilateral dialogue and take into consideration wishes of trade unions and employers considering unemployment insurance and the proposals of trade unions; and the plan voiced last week to abolish the provision that was supposed to come in force in 2013 that would have enabled to pay from the unemployment insurance also to people who are forced to resign their job at the agreement of the employee and employer.

Draft legislation that's cleared the first of three parliamentary readings would stop collective agreements from running indefinitely, which the Justice Chancellor has ruled unconstitutional, according to an explanatory letter on the legislature's website. Lawmakers have ignored the unions' proposals to keep the main terms of a terminated agreement valid for a transition period, harming workers' rights, Taliga said in a phone interview.

"This is just one protest in a long line of protests that started with the protest meeting of students in Toompea, but teachers and rescuers also held protest meetings and the ACTA demonstration also is in this list. These are all links of one chain," said Taliga.

The unions plan to hold protests at their workplaces next week and will begin strikes on March 5, 2012.

The action will peak with a strike of teachers and daycare workers, starting March 7, 2012, which may be supported by other unions, according to Taliga.