Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2023, published 112nd ILC session (2024)

Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111) - Estonia (Ratification: 2005)

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Article 1 of the Convention. Protection against discrimination. Legislation. The Committee notes the Government’s indication, in its report, that: (1) in January 2022, a Bill amending the Equal Treatment Act (ETA) was approved by the Government and succeeded in the first reading in Riigikogu (the Parliament); and (2) amendments were being prepared for the second reading in Parliament. It notes that the Bill aims at widening the scope of protection against discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief, disability, age and sexual orientation to the same level as it is currently on the grounds of nationality (ethnic origin), race or colour, for which protection against discrimination not only covers access to employment, occupation and vocational training, as well as working conditions, but also social protection (including social security and health care and social advantages) and education (sections 2(1)(5) and (6) of the ETA). Welcoming this information, the Committee however notes the repeated lack of information provided by the Government on any steps envisaged, in law or in practice, to address discrimination on the grounds of political opinion and social origin. The Committee therefore asks the Government to take steps, in particular in the context of the revision of the Equal Treatment Act, to explicitly prohibit in the national legislation discrimination based on at least all of the grounds listed in Article 1(1)(a) of the Convention, including political opinion and social origin, in all aspects of employment and occupation. It asks the Government to provide information on any progress made in that regard.

The Committee is raising other matters in a request addressed directly to the Government.