The Estonian Employers’ Confederation represents the largest number of employers among local employers' organisation and covers all economic sectors of Estonia. Within the European social model, the Confederation represents the joint interests of all economic sectors at both state and international levels and in dealings with state authorities and employee organisations.

The aim of the Confederation is to represent its members’ interests in communications with legislative and executive powers and employee organisations, as well as to represent its member organisations at international, state and regional levels.

The mission of the Confederation is to make the economy of Estonia more competitive by improving its business environment and ensuring social stability.

The Confederation’s priorities are to:

• Create a favourable business environment based on the members’ interests; 
• Increase the effectiveness of the labour force, advance the vocational education system and improve its public image;
• Maintain a competitive wage policy and negotiate wage agreements based on economic growth with trade unions and public sector representatives;
• Contain trade unions, solve labour disputes, shape strike legislation;
• Reduce labour shortage and labour force shortage, create new jobs by way of promoting flexible forms of working, and reduce the number of obligations imposed on entrepreneurs;
• Stand for a reasonable level of taxation, limit public sector spending and reduce the tax burden on businesses;
• Represent the interests of Estonian entrepreneurs at European Union level, through participation in the central organisation for European employers − BUSINESSEUROPE.

History

The Estonian Employers’ Confederation was established on 29th November 1997 by the merger of two employers’ organisations: the Confederation of Estonian Industry and Employers, and the Confederation of Employers’ Associations.

The Estonian Employers’ Confederation continues the activities and main principles of the Union of Estonian Industrialists established in 1917. Read more...

Members

All major trade associations of Estonia are represented in the Confederation. In 2008, there were 28 member associations and close cooperation took place with a further five trade associations. All in all, either directly or through trade associations, the Confederation represents over 1,500 Estonian enterprises, which in total employ around 145,000 workers. List of members...

Structure

The ultimate governing body of the Confederation is its General Meeting, whose responsibilities include the election of the Council. The Council appoints up to three members of the Management Board who run the day-to-day business of the Confederation.

Articles of Association

The Confederation acts in accordance with its Articles of Association  approved by the General Meeting.