Background information

Ida-Virumaa, a north-eastern region in Estonia has had a higher rate of COVID-19 cases during the second wave compared to the rest of Estonia and thus additional, more severe containment measures were introduced there as of 12 December. This meant that for three weeks all entertainment facilities and leisure activities were forbidden: public events, cinemas, theatres, concert venues, museums, restaurants, sport clubs, pools, spas, accommodation facilities were closed, and the restrictions applied both indoors and outdoors. To support the region, as they suffered more than other areas in Estonia, the Government allocated additional finances to this region.

Content of measure

€16 million will be allocated to Ida-Virumaa and Harjumaa to compensate the wage of employees of the companies whose activities were restricted. The compensation will cover the period from 28 December 2020 to 17 January 2021.

Eligible are all companies, non-profit organisations, foundations and self-employed whose employees worked in Ida-Virumaa or Harjumaa at 22 December 2020 and whose activities correspond to the activities that were restricted.

The support is paid on the basis of the wage costs of November 2020, while the maximum amount is €180,000 per company. It can be applied by the employers during February 2021 from the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund.

The support offers a dismissal protection for the employees, as during a month from receiving the support, the employees cannot be dismissed.

Use of measure

No information available.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Does not apply to workers	Sector specific set of companies	Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government Trade unions Employers' organisations Public employment service	National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	Agreed (outcome) incl. social partner initiative	Agreed (outcome) incl. social partner initiative
Form	Any other form of consultation, institutionalised (as stable working groups or committees) or informal	Any other form of consultation, institutionalised (as stable working groups or committees) or informal

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• No involvement
• Main level of involvement: Peak or cross-sectoral level

Involvement

Social partners are part of the council of the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund. The council discussed the measure and made the proposal to the Government. Thus, the social partners were directly involved in the discussions of this measure.

Views and reactions

No information available.

Sectors and occupations

This case is not occupation-specific.

Sources

• 30 December 2020: Second wave compensation measures (Valitsus kinnitas COVID-19 teise laine kahjude toetusmeetmed) (vv.valitsus.ee)
• 28 March 2021: Extension of the wage subsidy period (Ida-Virumaa ja Harjumaa palgatoetuse maksmist pikendati ) (valitsus.ee)