The Estonian Employers’ Confederation continues the activities of the Union of Estonian Industrialists, established on 3rd March 1917, by standing for the common interests of employers both in the Republic of Estonia and at the international level. The Union of Estonian Industrialists was shut down by the Soviet powers in 1940.

On 29th November 1991, the Estonian trade associations formed the Estonian Confederation of Industry (ETKL), which in 1992 took on the role of representing employers in social partnership. The Confederation was led by Viljar Veskiväli as managing director and Elmar Kruusma as chairman.  On 4th May 1995 the ETKL was reorganised and renamed the Estonian Confederation of Industry and Employers (ETTK).

On 20 November 1995, another employers’ confederation – the Estonian Confederation of Employers’ Organisations (ETÜKL) – was established by service sector trade associations; presided over by Eve Päärendson and chaired by Priit Vilba. On tripartite negotiations the employers were represented by two organisations – the ETTK and the ETÜKL.

In September 1997, the ETTK and the ETÜKL started merger negotiations culminating on 29th November 1997 with the establishment of one central employers’ organisation − the Estonian Confederation of Employers and Industry (ETTK). Henn Pärn became the managing director and chairman was Jüri Käo.

In 2001 the organisation was renamed the Estonian Employers’ Confederation.

The Confederation has been chaired by Tarmo Kriis and presided over by Enn Veskimägi since 2004.