Although the last quarter of the year surprised businesses and analysts with economic growth, businesses are cautious about counting out new growth from it. Before that can happen, confidence needs to be restored among businesses and individuals.
Neither Europe nor Estonia has the money or the capacity to continue with the current social policies, to deal with defence capacity building and to implement a largely politically driven green turnaround. We have to choose one from here, stressed entrepreneurs at the Employers' Economic Conference "Windward Flight 2025". Without a strong economy, there is no defence.
The Confederation of Estonian Employers, which represents the largest employers, stresses that we need foreign workers to help us cope with an ageing society and a shrinking working-age population. Every foreign worker who pays taxes helps to pay the salaries of teachers and doctors and to finance the defence of the country.
Looking ahead over the next decade, the Estonian labour market will be short of around 1,400 top specialists and 700 skilled workers every year, and the need for them cannot be met by Estonian graduates. The involvement of some foreign labour is inevitable, according to a recent OSKA study.
The Confederation of Finnish Employers is calling on everyone to report unnecessary red tape and bring together pointless government regulation, outdated laws and other requirements that hinder business.
The lingering economic downturn has dulled the pain of the labour shortage crisis, but it has not taken away its cause, explains Ain Käpp, head of the Confederation of Employers' Labour Market Working Group. That's why every step that brings more workers into the labour market is important.
Making labour law more flexible and modernising the recruitment of foreign workers are indispensable steps to help attract new people to the labour market, explains Ain Käpp, head of the Central Confederation of Employers' labour market working group and member of the council, on ERR's opinion pages. In addition, a more flexible law will increase the rights of part-time workers.
The Confederation of Finnish Employers supports the state's plans to make labour law more flexible, as both employers and employees expect and need this.
New leaders for several working groups were elected at the Employers' Confederation council meeting on 19 March. We thank the current leaders of the working groups for their dedicated contribution and welcome the new leaders who will take forward important focus areas for employers.
The biggest challenges facing the Estonian economy need bold ideas and decisive decision-makers. Leaders and owners of Estonia's leading companies and economic influencers will be present at the most important event of the Employers' Year, the economic conference "Windward Flight 2026", which will take place on 4 March at the Tallinn Cruise Terminal.
A radical reduction of bureaucracy is an untapped opportunity for the Estonian economy, explains Kai Realo, Vice-Chairman of the Employers' Confederation. Otherwise, we will kill all good initiatives, and only those that have managed to break through the bureaucracy and get the attention of politicians or top officials will remain or become viable.
Prime Minister Kristen Michal today announced the launch of the Efficiency and Growth Council. Representatives and members of the Confederation of Estonian Employers will also participate in its work.
“Offering internships gives young people the opportunity to integrate their creativity and modern knowledge of the field into the everyday life of the company,” says Pirkko Saar, HR Manager of Telia Eesti AS, which was awarded the title “Best Internship 2024”, and encourages company managers to bring more interns into their “inner circle” in the Education and Youth Board's “Skills for the Future” programme.
If businesses are responsible for economic growth, the state is responsible for creating a competitive economic area. Estonia's economic policy should aim to place the country among the advanced economies, says Ain Hanschmidt, head of the Employers' Confederation.
The Confederation of Estonian Employers welcomes the new coalition's plan to focus on economic development and security. Cooperation between the state and businesses will turn the economy from recession to growth, which will increase the competitiveness of the economic area.