Call for carers to join union and push for collective agreement

Estonia

The EAKL trade union confederation reports that the state wants to give additional pay to carers from July, which requires trade unions and employers to negotiate an agreement. Monthly pay in nursing homes varies from €725 to €1300 per month, depending on the region. EAKL says that trade unions want to negotiate a minimum wage for care workers in a sector collective agreement with a view to achieving the same level as that in the collective agreement for health workers where the minimum wage for care workers in health care institutions is set to reach €1160. With staff shortages reaching critical levels EAKL says that it would be a good time for unions to put pressure on employers. The confederation is encouraging workers to join the ROTAL state and local government workers’ union.

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