active policies of employment in estonia. project: handicapped people employed in co-operatives...

Active Policies of Employment in Estonia.

Project: Handicapped People Employed In Co-operatives (HAPECO)

Merit Trei, Project ManagerManaging Director, NGO Eurohouse

October 26th, 2006Bordeaux

Estonia Today:Towards a Social BalanceEstonian social policy is characterised

by a steady movement towards a socially balanced society.

3 principal factors determine Estonia’s present social policy.Two of these can be found in every developed country:

•An ageing population•A certain level of unemployment.

The third is the inheritance left us by the Soviet Union – a socialist planned economy that lasted for 50 years.

Until the early 1990s, unemployment was largely an unknown phenomenon in Estonia.

In the Soviet Union, every citizen had the duty to work.

The state backed up its planned economy with coercive measures.

The number of people working in any enterprise was unnaturally high.

Labour market

After regaining independence in 1991

During the 1990s, the labour marketunderwent fundamental changes.

There was a significant drop in the number of people employed in agriculture and industry, and a rise in employment in service industries.

By the year 2000, unemployment had peaked at 13.6 per cent, which meant that 90 000 people were out of work.

Registered unemployed persons, 2002-2005

25000

30000

35000

40000

45000

50000

55000

I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII

month

2002 20032004 2005

Decrease of unemployment

Since 2000, unemployment has decreased. In the 3rd quarter of 2003, the unemployment rate

was 9.5% (62 000 unemployed). At the beginning of 2006, the unemployment rate

was 2.6%. On October 2006, 1,5 % of the people of working age (16 – 65) were unemployed.

Unemployment is a largely structural problem:a mismatch between the skills and knowledge of

workers and the requirements of the economy. In some fields, the unemployment ratediffers more than twofold – employees with the

required skills and the jobs available are often in different regions.

Harjumaa Lääne-Virumaa

1,3 - 2,7%

2,8 - 4,1%

4,2 - 5,5%

5,6 - 6,9%

Ida-Virumaa

Jõgevamaa

Raplamaa JärvamaaLäänemaaHiiumaa

SaaremaaPärnumaa

Viljandimaa Tartumaa

Põlvamaa

Valgamaa

Võrumaa

Regional differences in unemployment, 2006

Finland, Sweden, etc

Russia

Problems on Estonian labour market

High youth unemployment rate – 21,7% High and growing share of the long-term unemployed –

at 2003 46,4% of unemployed, at 2004 – 52,7 % Structural unemployment (both on occupational basis

and regional basis)

GROWING & SERIOUS PROBLEM:Lack of work force and skills

*Figures are given for 2005

Priorities for reducing the level ofunemployment

The priorities for reducing the level ofunemployment are as follows:

to increase investment in labour market training, to raise employment levels among vulnerable

groups such as young people, the long-termunemployed, and disabled people,

along with fostering entrepreneurship and job-creation.

In 2002, unemployment insurance was introduced, which is linked to previous earnings.

Legislation

From the 1st of October 2000 two legal acts regulate the area:

Social Protection of the Unemployed Act Labour Market Services ActFrom 1st of January 2002 came into force Unemployment

Insurance Act – unemployment insurance premiums are paid since 1st of January 2003

From 1st of January 2006 new unified law: Labour market Services and Benefit Act *

Estonian labour market organizations

Ministry of Social Affairs

Deputy SecretaryGeneral on Labour Policy

Labour Market BoardLabour Inspectorate

Labour Market Department

Working Life Development Department

Labour Policy Information and

Analysis Department

16 Public Employment Offices(local)

Labour Market Board organizes the activity of the employment offices:

social protection of the unemployed and provision of employment services,

granting of consent to aliens applying for work permits, sales of employment record books at the employment

offices; processes and analyses the database of job seekers and of

the employment services supplied; fulfils the obligations arising from international agreements

and international legislation; organizes cooperation between state agencies, local

governments, federations of employees and employers for the purpose of resolving employment problems and ensuring social protection of the unemployed.

Regional Departments

register job seekers, including the unemployed; provide employment services to employers and

job seekers; pay benefits to the unemployed (unemployment

allowance, scholarships); communicate information and gather information

about vacant positions; keep records of unemployed persons, job seekers

and receivers of employment services; decide granting of consent to aliens for work

permits; participate in the development of the labour

market policy and programs and organize their implementation.

Active labour market measures Information about labour market situation and

opportunities for labour market training Labour exchange Labour market training Employment subsidy to start a business Employment subsidy to employers Community placement Vocational guidance Jobpractice Jobexercise 4 measures for disabled persons

INDIVIDUAL ACTION PLAN Is an individual strategy to provide

necessary services for the unemployed person

Is an outcome of LMB and the unemployed persons collaboration

Necessary for the unemployed person to agree and fulfill

LABOUR EXCHANGE

For job-seeker and unemployed person– suggesting suitable vacancies

For employer Advertising vacancies Making pre-selection of candidates by testing and

interviewing SUITABLE WORK cannot be counter-indicative for health;

for travelling no more than 2 hours per day and 10% of the wage.

First 20 weeks: wage has to be at least 2 minimumwages and not less than 60% of the previous salary

After 20 weeks: wage has to be at least 1 minimumwage and not less than the unemployment allowance received at the time

LABOUR MARKET TRAINING

Maximum length – 1 year Three types:

primary or retraining – new profession skill conversion – improvement of skills adaptation training – activation, support and

counseling Training at least 40 hours – right to

receive scholarship (38,5€)

Travel or accommodation subsidy ( up to 77€)

JOB PRACTICE

For unemployed persons who have the necessary education, but no working experience.

Job practice lasts up to 4 months and during that time a participant will receive scholarship

Participant will receive scholarship and has a right for travel or accommodation subsidy

EMPLOYMENT SUBSIDY TO START BUSINESS

Subsidy for unemployed person Maximum sum of money is 1282 € Required previous business

experience or training in the field of business

Follow-up control during one year

EMPLOYMENT SUBSIDY TO EMPLOYERS

Support for hiring people belonging to risk-groups Young long-term unemployed persons (age

16-24)(at least 6 months) Long-term unemployed (at least 1 year) Ex-prisoners

Subsidy paid during 6 months Subsidy is 50% of the hired persons

wage, but no more than 1 minimumwage established by the Government (192.- €)

COMMUNITY PLACEMENT

Temporary work No special skills are needed Organized by local government or

nonprofit institution Can last up to 10 days per month and no

more than 50 hours Salary is at least 1 minimumwage The participant remains the right to

receive unemployment subsidy

VOCATIONAL GUIDANCE

Testing Suggestions for suitable work,

education or career For unemployed persons and

persons who have been notified of redundancy

JOB EXERCISE

For long-term unemployed persons To develop a habit of work Up to 3 months

Participant will receive 50% of scholarship

MEASURES FOR DISABLED PERSONS

Adapting workplace and –equipment(1923 €)

Free use of necessary technical auxiliaries

Help in the work-interview (signlanguage)

Working with a support person (during 1 year)

Funding

In 2005, approximately 6,5 million € spent on active employment measures

(through the Labour Market Board)

State budget 62% European Social Fund 38%

Gender Issues

Quite new There is a department of gender

equality in the Ministry of Social Affairs

Soviet time – equality ruled After regaining independence, the

role of women has changed

Women on the labour market

Smaller income (about 25% less than men) throughout the whole life

Smaller wages because of:1. Different sectors2. Hierarchy3. Simple discrimination

Solutions

Legislation Information and opinion building.

Increase the value of woman in the eyes of the society.

Increase the level of competitiveness of women

Develop a more flexible system of social support (flexi-time work for women with small children)

The other side of gender equality

The average lifetime of men in Estonia is 65 years.

The average lifetime of women in Estonia is 76 years.

The difference is 11 years...

Project Handicapped People Employed in Co-operatives (HAPECO)

Duration: January 2005 – July 2008

6 target regions in Estonia(covering about 50 % of the country)

Problem:

The rate of unemployment of disabled people is very high in Estonia - 74 %!

Exclusion from both social and working life

Target group:

Disabled people (with disabilities that prevent them from finding work in a “usual” way)

General Idea:Working is the best defense against

poverty and exclusion. Work instead of welfare!

General Objective

The project supports the equal opportunities for disabled people for participation in working and social life through thorough and flexible training and creation of social enterprises.

Our aim is twofold – 1. to raise the independence of disabled people (for those

that want it) by enabling them to take an active role in the economy and achieve a greater sense of self-worth

2. to raise awareness of the contribution that disabled people can make to society.

Objectives

Raise the awareness of the society

and the decision-makers.Integrate the results

of the project into policies

Create a network of organisationssupporting the integration of disadvantaged people.

Test new methods and tools

for supporting the employment

of disabled people

Activities for the target group

Business consolidation

Company creation

Training, counselling, advising, many-sided support

Involving participants

Active involvement of the participants

Active involvement of the participants. They are all members and owners

Social cooperative is the best form of enterprise in this case, as all the members have equal rights to make decisions about everyday management, finances, future plans etc.

1 member – 1 vote Social aspect and team work Self-esteem and self-realisation

Expected results

Social cooperatives in each target region.

The main aim is not to gain profit, but to improve the quality of life of the target group

Results by October 2006:

Active work in the 6 regions (groups of 10 – 15 people in each region)

Basic training almost finished Vocational training going on Cooperatives being legally formed The first cooperative is ready!On Saaremaa island, 7 handicapped women

open a children’s daycare centre on November 1.

Awareness-raising

To raise the awareness of the society and the decision-makers about the situation of the target group and the new methods of improving their quality of life:

Continuous information: Radio broadcasts, newspaper articles,

seminars in all the target regions for decision-makers

To integrate the results of the project into policies on local, national and European level:

Awareness raising and demonstrating best practices will gradually lead to more attention paid to the problems of disabled people, support the establishment and financing of active measures - support structures etc.

Raising the awareness of entrepreneurs will encourage and promote and the employment of disabled people

Innovative aspect

This model is absolutely new in Estonia.

If we succeed, the model can be used in other regions for the rehabilitation of similar target groups.

CHALLENGE

EQUAL is not just a delivery programme.

It is an opportunity: To try out new ways of working and

to find out what works To influence policy on European,

national and local level

Thank you!Merit TreiNGO Eurohousewww.eurohouse.eeinfo@eurohouse.ee

Tallinna 10AKuressaare Estonia 93 812