Work Ability Reform in Estonia: Successes and Challenges

Pille Liimal from the Estonian Unemployment Office congratulated the conference on bringing together high level experts to share good practices which help to remove barriers and help partially sighted and blind people to live independently.

She explained that the Unemployment Office helps unemployed people to get work and helps those in work not to lose their job in case of disabilities.

Pille reported that a three-year programme of reform since 2016 had led to five fundamental changes:

1. Work Ability Assessment – changes to the way they assess ability to work, or partial ability to work, or not able to work
2. Work Ability Benefit – is a flat rate of €217 or €381 per month
3. Activation – anyone at least partially able to work is required to be active and either work, study or look for a job with the help of the Unemployment Office
4. Employment counselling and measures – were widened and extended
5. Social welfare measures – were improved and extended

The changes had led to an increase in the number of people with long term health problems and disabilities being in work.  62% were in employment in 2018 compared to 59% in 2017.  Also, a quarter of those assessed as not being able to work, have been able to find some type of job.

There is a good labour market situation in Estonia at the moment.  The Unemployment Office has a role in making access to the labour market easier.  As a result, people with disabilities are more active.  More than 11,000 people used the services of the Unemployment Office in looking for employment.

The services include a personal employment counsellor for face-to-face meetings as well as telephone, Skype and e-service options.

The largest group are people with mental health problems which represents about a third.  Blind and partially sighted are the smallest group at slightly over 1%.  These two groups are facing the biggest barriers from employers, due to fears and lack of awareness if employers don’t have experience.  The Unemployment Office is able to inform and explore solutions, and help with costs, to alleviate fears of costly adjustments.

All of the employment offices are accessible.  A universal design includes orientation support lines on the floor to lead people around; private counselling rooms with huge numbers on the glass doors, and spacious waiting areas which are helpful for people with mobility aids.  A set of technical aids such as digital magnifiers are also available.

Pille then talked about the ongoing challenges.  She said that it was not so much the disability which creates a disadvantage in an employment situation, but that it is more to do with the fact that they haven’t had the same choices in education and work.  Often the decision on what they learn is not what they want to learn, but a decision influenced by a training institution or the limited availability of specialist support services. 

Another challenge is the availability of social services and supporting networks.  Some people might need help with getting out of the home and it is not always possible to get a personal assistant or other personal arrangement.

Pille reported a 25% lower income wage gap compared to those not disabled.  It was partly explained by workload, but more analysis needed.

Sustainable employment is needed, after getting a job. Attitudes towards disability and employment have changed over the years but they have to keep working on this continuously to improve overall awareness.