Letter

Valeria Ronzitti SGI Europe [email protected] Our ref. 09.08.2023 No 1.4-2/3039-1 Extracts from the Government of the Republic of Estonia regulations on employment and equality issues Dear Ms Ronzitti I trust this email finds you in good health. I am writing in response to our meeting in Madrid, for which I am sincerely grateful. I am appreciative of your interest in learning from our experience. Enclosed, please find the extracts from the explanatory memorandum concerning regulations from the Government of the Republic of Estonia that pertain to employment and equality issues. These extracts elucidate the advantages of transferring the organization of employment, labor market, industrial relations, the Equal Opportunities and Livelihoods Department, and the working environment from the Ministry of Social Affairs to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications. Explanatory memorandum to the draft Decree of the Government of the Republic "Amending the Decrees of the Government of the Republic in connection with the reorganisation of ministries" 4. Effects of the Regulation The implementation of the amendments will bring the Regulations of the Government of the Republic into line with the proposed amendment to the Act (216 SE). The effects of the amendments to the Regulations will be highlighted in conjunction with the proposed legislative amendments and a more comprehensive impact analysis is provided in the explanatory memorandum to the draft Act referred to. Consequently, the impact analysis is not repeated in its entirety in this Explanatory Memorandum and a brief summary of the effects of the amendments is provided. The transfer of the organisation of employment, the labour market, industrial relations and the working environment from the Ministry of Social Affairs to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications will support the strengthening of the links between the economy and working life and thus indirectly also the labour market, industrial relations and the working environment. The proposed reorganisation will manage policy-making in the fields of labour market, industrial relations, economic development and innovation as a comprehensive system, creating the preconditions for increasing the competitiveness of the Estonian economy and the working environment. The adoption of the draft will ensure more integrated and targeted management of critical Suur-Ameerika 1 / 10122 Tallinn / ESTONIA / +372 626 9301 / [email protected] / www.sm.ee / Reg. no 70001952 government areas for sustainable development, a clearer division of responsibilities, reduced duplication and strengthened cooperation between government agencies. The role of ministries, if implemented in a well-conceived way in practice, will have a significant positive impact in guiding national development. The change will require ministers, ministry officials and staff to change their current practices and improve cooperation. This may initially lead to an increase in workload before coordination mechanisms are sufficiently well established. The need to adapt to change may be considerable, as silo structures are well established in certain areas. Where staff are used to working in a fixed structure and team, and this structure changes, communication and cooperation may suffer. Relocating staff need time to adapt to the new environment, learn new systems and build new teams. During this period, there may be interruptions to work processes and postponement of other tasks. However, the changes will be brought about by the Act of the Government of the Republic, which will be implemented, inter alia, by this draft Regulation, but the change will not be directly consequential to the draft Regulation. Explanatory memorandum to the draft Act amending the Government of the Republic Act and other acts in connection therewith 6.2 Social impact The transfer of the organisation of employment, the labour market, labour relations and the working environment from the Ministry of Social Affairs to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Information Technology supports the strengthening of the interconnections between the economy and working life, and thus indirectly also the labour market, labour relations and the working environment. The labour market and industrial relations are undergoing global change due to socio-economic trends and are increasingly dependent on technological developments, new economic models, labour migration, the international division of labour, national talent policies, automation, etc.. A combination of factors is leading to increasingly diverse and flexible forms of work. The proposed reorganisation will manage labour market, industrial relations, economic development and innovation policy-making in 30 areas as an integrated system, creating the preconditions for increasing the competitiveness of the Estonian economy and work environment. Annex 1 to the explanatory memorandum to the draft Act amending the Government of the Republic Act and other acts in connection therewith. 181) the Employment Department, whose main task is to plan labour market policy and organise its implementation in order to ensure a high employment rate among the working- age population and the availability of the necessary labour force for employers. It plays a leading role in the development of labour mobility, employability and employability, and in the design of labour market services, expenditure, benefits and allowances related to these policies; 182) the Department of Industrial Relations and the Working Environment, whose main task is to plan, coordinate and organise the implementation of labour policies. The department has a leading role in the development of industrial relations, including individual and collective working conditions and a safe and healthy working environment, as well as in the design of expenditure and benefits related to these policies; 183) the Equal Opportunities and Livelihoods Department, whose main task is to plan and coordinate equal treatment, gender equality and socio-economic livelihoods policies. The department has a leading role in promoting gender equality and equal treatment and in coordinating policies and measures to prevent and alleviate inequalities, poverty, discrimination and exclusion.' Gender Equality Act Section 22. Functions of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications: (1) advises on matters relating to the implementation of the principle of equal treatment and 2 (3) provides guidance on the implementation of this Act; 2) analyse the impact of laws and legislation on the position of women and men in society; 3) publishes reports on the implementation of the principle of equal treatment of women and men; 4) coordinate the promotion of gender equality and equal treatment and activities in this field."; If you have any questions regarding the acts, please do not hesitate to ask. Yours sincerely, Maarjo Mändmaa (Secretary General) Signed by Nele Labi Deputy Secretary General on Innovation Affairs (acting as Secretary General) Kristi Talistu [email protected] 3 (3)