International communication
The Confederation of Estonian Employers stands for a strong Estonia and is the voice of employers in Estonia and internationally.
We represent the interests of the members of the Confederation of Estonian Employers and the Estonian business sector in general at the international level in the central European employers “organisation. BusinessEurope, the international umbrella organisation for employers IOE and OECD the Business Representative Council BIAC. In addition, the Confederation of Estonian Employers” Confederations is also European Economic and Social Committee European Economic and Social Committee.
As Europe’s leading business organisation, BusinessEurope brings together more than 20 million businesses from 36 countries, including EU Member States, countries of the European Economic Area and several Central and Eastern European countries, through 42 employers’ organisations.
BusinessEurope, as the representative organisation of large, medium and small enterprises, actively contributes to policy making at European level to ensure that the interests of enterprises are taken into account and to help boost Europe’s competitiveness. BUSINESSEUROPE is the umbrella organisation of the European Commission and the European Trade Union Confederation. ETUC-and the European Trade Union Confederation.
The IOE(International Organisation of Employers) is the international umbrella organisation of employers, representing employers’ organisations and businesses at international level, defending their interests and promoting economic growth and social development. The IOE cooperates closely with various international labour organisations, including ILO-to shape policies and standards that support entrepreneurship and job creation.
The IOE is made up of over 150 employers and business organisations from more than 140 countries around the world, representing the interests of more than 50 million companies and employing hundreds of millions of workers.
The Confederation of Estonian Employers is also the voice of employers in the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), an advisory body on economic and social matters to the Council of the European Union, the European Commission and the European Parliament. Our representative on the Economic and Social Committee is Kristi Sõber, External Relations Adviser.
BIAC (Business Advisory Committee to the OECD) is the business voice of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The Estonian Employers’ Confederation has been a member of BIAC since 2010, when Estonia became a member of the OECD, which brings together democracies with highly developed open market economies.
At international level, we aim to contribute to evidence-based policy making that takes into account the interests of business. We consult with our members to shape our positions. In addition, we organise study visits to other countries for our members and we organise seminars and training sessions to share best practice from other countries.
Our representatives at international level
Council of Presidents of BusinessEurope member organisations
Council of Presidents of BusinessEurope
Kai Realo
Chairman of the Council of the Estonian Employers’ Confederation
Chairman of the Management Board of Ragn-Sells AS
Council of CEOs of BusinessEurope member organisations
Executive Committee of BusinessEurope
Hando Sutter will lead the Estonian Employers’ Confederation team from October 2024. He will represent the interests of the Confederation’s members in various organisations and will provide clarification on legislation and the business environment.
Hando Sutter has worked as a senior executive for more than 30 years and has led companies such as Eesti Energia, Nord Pool Spot, Olympic Entertainment Group and others. He has also been a member of the Employers’ Confederation’s council and chaired the Confederation’s education working group for several years.
Hando Sutter
CEO
+372 5373 2166
Permanent Representative of the Estonian Employers’ Confederation to BusinessEurope
Permanent Delegate in BusinessEurope
Kristi is responsible for external relations at the Employers’ Confederation. Her role is to relay important information from Europe and around the world. This includes BusinessEurope, Business at the OECD and the International Organisation of Employers (IOE) as well as other European legislation. He has been involved in EU affairs for 15 years, working in the European Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu and for the last five years in Brussels, liaising with various EU institutions and embassies. In his free time he likes to travel a lot, spend time with his family and do sports.
Kristi Friend
External Relations Adviser
+372 5858 3099
Estonian Employers’ Confederation representative in the BusinessEurope Transport Working Group
Transport Working Group of BusinessEurope
Ermo Perolainen
Estonian International Road Transport AssociationSecretary General / Office Manager
European Economic and Social Committee
European Economic and Social Committee
Kristi is responsible for external relations at the Employers’ Confederation. Her role is to relay important information from Europe and around the world. This includes BusinessEurope, Business at the OECD and the International Organisation of Employers (IOE) as well as other European legislation. He has been involved in EU affairs for 15 years, working in the European Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu and for the last five years in Brussels, liaising with various EU institutions and embassies. In his free time he likes to travel a lot, spend time with his family and do sports.
Kristi Friend
External Relations Adviser
+372 5858 3099
Member of the Employers’ Group. Member of the Section for Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship (SOC). Member of the Consultative Commission on Industrial Change (CCMI). Member of the Economic and Monetary Union, Economic and Social Cohesion (ECO) Section. Member of the Section for Transport, Energy, Infrastructure and the Information Society (TEN).
European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions
European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions
Kristi is responsible for external relations at the Employers’ Confederation. Her role is to relay important information from Europe and around the world. This includes BusinessEurope, Business at the OECD and the International Organisation of Employers (IOE) as well as other European legislation. He has been involved in EU affairs for 15 years, working in the European Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu and for the last five years in Brussels, liaising with various EU institutions and embassies. In his free time he likes to travel a lot, spend time with his family and do sports.
Kristi Friend
External Relations Adviser
+372 5858 3099
Alternate
Meelis Kitsing
Estonian Business School Rector, Chairman of the Board, Professor, PhD
European Centre for the Development of Further Education and Training (CEDEFOP)
European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training
Alternate
Pill Meier
Estonian Forest and Wood Industries Association Project Manager
European Agency for Safety and Health at Work
European Agency for Safety and Health at Work
Marju Peärnberg
ABB AS Environment and Occupational Safety Specialist
Alternate
Piia provides legal advice to the Employers “Confederation and its governing bodies and participates in the drafting of legislation affecting its members. Piia coordinates the work of the Estonian Employers” Confederation’s labour market and health working groups. As a representative of the Confederation of Estonian Employers, she is a member of the Board of the Estonian Standards Centre, a member of the Advisory Committee on Freedom of Movement for Workers of the European Union, an alternate member of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work and the European Advisory Committee on Safety and Health at Work. Previously, Piia has worked in the International Law Department of the Ministry of Justice and for a long time as General Counsel of a large infrastructure management and transport company. Piia graduated from the Faculty of Law of the University of Tartu. In her free time she enjoys all kinds of exercise (from yoga to boxing), studying medical literature and watching motorsport.
Piia Zimmermann
Legal Counsel
+372 699 9306
European Social Fund Committee
Kristi is responsible for external relations at the Employers’ Confederation. Her role is to relay important information from Europe and around the world. This includes BusinessEurope, Business at the OECD and the International Organisation of Employers (IOE) as well as other European legislation. He has been involved in EU affairs for 15 years, working in the European Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu and for the last five years in Brussels, liaising with various EU institutions and embassies. In his free time he likes to travel a lot, spend time with his family and do sports.
Kristi Friend
External Relations Adviser
+372 5858 3099
Advisory Committee on Safety and Health at Work
Advisory Committee on Safety, Hygiene and Health Protection at Work
Marju Peärnberg
ABB AS Environment and Occupational Safety Specialist
Alternate
Piia provides legal advice to the Employers “Confederation and its governing bodies and participates in the drafting of legislation affecting its members. Piia coordinates the work of the Estonian Employers” Confederation’s labour market and health working groups. As a representative of the Confederation of Estonian Employers, she is a member of the Board of the Estonian Standards Centre, a member of the Advisory Committee on Freedom of Movement for Workers of the European Union, an alternate member of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work and the European Advisory Committee on Safety and Health at Work. Previously, Piia has worked in the International Law Department of the Ministry of Justice and for a long time as General Counsel of a large infrastructure management and transport company. Piia graduated from the Faculty of Law of the University of Tartu. In her free time she enjoys all kinds of exercise (from yoga to boxing), studying medical literature and watching motorsport.
Piia Zimmermann
Legal Counsel
+372 699 9306
European Advisory Council for Vocational Education and Training
Advisory Committee for Vocational Training, ACVT
Hando Sutter will lead the Estonian Employers’ Confederation team from October 2024. He will represent the interests of the Confederation’s members in various organisations and will provide clarification on legislation and the business environment.
Hando Sutter has worked as a senior executive for more than 30 years and has led companies such as Eesti Energia, Nord Pool Spot, Olympic Entertainment Group and others. He has also been a member of the Employers’ Confederation’s council and chaired the Confederation’s education working group for several years.
Hando Sutter
CEO
+372 5373 2166
Advisory Committee for the Coordination of Social Security Systems
Advisory Committee for the Coordination of Social Security Systems
Katrin Truve
Kesko Senukai AS Legal Counsel
Alternate
VACANCY
Workers’ Free Movement Advisory Committee
Advisory Committee on Free Movement of Workers
Piia provides legal advice to the Employers “Confederation and its governing bodies and participates in the drafting of legislation affecting its members. Piia coordinates the work of the Estonian Employers” Confederation’s labour market and health working groups. As a representative of the Confederation of Estonian Employers, she is a member of the Board of the Estonian Standards Centre, a member of the Advisory Committee on Freedom of Movement for Workers of the European Union, an alternate member of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work and the European Advisory Committee on Safety and Health at Work. Previously, Piia has worked in the International Law Department of the Ministry of Justice and for a long time as General Counsel of a large infrastructure management and transport company. Piia graduated from the Faculty of Law of the University of Tartu. In her free time she enjoys all kinds of exercise (from yoga to boxing), studying medical literature and watching motorsport.
Piia Zimmermann
Legal Counsel
+372 699 9306
Katrin Truve
Kesko Senukai AS Legal Counsel
Alternate
Mare Hiiesalu
Director General of the State Forest Management Centre
International Labour Organisation (ILO) Council of Estonia
Estonian Council of International Labour Organization (ILO)
Kristi is responsible for external relations at the Employers’ Confederation. Her role is to relay important information from Europe and around the world. This includes BusinessEurope, Business at the OECD and the International Organisation of Employers (IOE) as well as other European legislation. He has been involved in EU affairs for 15 years, working in the European Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu and for the last five years in Brussels, liaising with various EU institutions and embassies. In his free time he likes to travel a lot, spend time with his family and do sports.
Kristi Friend
External Relations Adviser
+372 5858 3099
Vahur Ausmees
Representative of the Estonian Shipowners’ Association (HR and Development Director of AS Tallink Grupp)
Estonian foreign representatives abroad
Estonian embassies and consulates (link: http://vm.ee/et/riigid/eesti-saatkonnad)