RELIEVING UNEMPLOYMENT
A proposal by the city to the Government of the Republic of Estonia to pay sickness benefits, contributed by the state, to disabled people from the 4th day of sick leave.
On July 1st, 2009, a new regulation for the payment of sickness benefits will come into effect. It stipulates that an individual will receive no benefits for the first 3 days of a sick leave; the employer must compensate the benefits amounting to 80% of the employee’s average wage for the next 5 days, while the Health Insurance Fund will start paying the benefit as of the 9th day of one’s sick leave.
Benefits and Social Assistance
A proposal from the City of Tallinn to the Government of the Republic of Estonia to increase the official national subsistence level figure from the current 1,000 Estonian kroons to 1,200 Estonian kroons.
Allocation of additional funds to meal centres in order to ensure free food for those in need every day.
The centres operate at 1a Laevastiku St, 100c Kopli St, 79 Kopli St and 8 Eha St.
Increasing the number of bed spaces
in the AS Ida-Tallinna Keskhaigla (East Tallinn Central Hospital) at 34 Magasini St., where both stationary and ambulatory services are provided for those who do not have health insurance.
Increasing the number of places in homeless shelters.
In addition to the night shelters at 8 Alasi St. and 79 Kopli St., a similar service will be temporarily available at 92 Männiku Rd.
Opening of new social accommodation units
in order to assist people in need. A social accommodation unit at 35 Paljassaare St will be opened in May and the one at 4 Kauge St in June. If possible, establishment of a new social accommodation unit at 7 Varre St will begin in 2010.
Lowering the price of express bus tickets by 25%, effective as of June 1st, 2009.
Raising the annual cost-of-living allowance paid to the retired citizens of Tallinn to 1,200 Estonian kroons in 2010.
Counselling for People Experiencing Difficulties
Provision of debt counselling services
at 6 Tuulemaa St and 34 Akadeemia Rd as well as on the premises of the Tallinn City Government at 7 Vabaduse Sq and the Lasnamäe District Government at 16 Punane St (in the two latter locations from June 1st, 2009).
Counselling for families that have been referred by the Social Welfare Department of their respective district government.
The service takes place at the Tallinn Central Children´s Hospital´s Youth Counselling Centre, 27 Ravi St., and at the Tallinn Family Centre, 11 Asula St.
Crisis counselling for people undergoing difficulties aimed
at maintaining or restoring their mental health and working capacity. It is available at 9a Pärnu Rd, as well as over the phone (631 4300) between 8 pm and 7 am.
Legal counselling on labour law issues and assistance in drafting relevant legal documents.
Upon presenting a letter of reference issued by the City of Tallinn, individuals who have received legal counselling from February 2009 may use free legal assistance in drafting documents and applications as well as in preparing court actions. The counselling takes place in the Tallinn City Government offices at 7 Vabaduse Sq.
Tallinn employment and entrepreneurship fair “Tallinn töötab” (Tallinn Is Working)
will take place at the Song Festival grounds on September 10th, 2009. Visitors will be advised on matters related to labour law, employment and entrepreneurship in co-operation with relevant state agencies and NGOs.
Decreasing Housing Expenses
Compensation to the less privileged population for the increase in heating prices.
A socially justified standard of 18 m² per inhabitant plus an additional 15 m² per family of residential premises, will be used as the grounds for assigning the compensation, (51 m² for a retired person living alone), provided that the net income per family member is less than the minimum official monthly wage.
Applying for the right to initiate the change of heating price to be assigned to the State Competition Board and local authorities.
A respective proposal will be sent to the Government of the Republic of Estonia in order to amend the Heating Act.
A proposal to lower the VAT rate on heat and fuels (peat, briquette, coal and wood)
from 18% to 5%, effective as of July 1st, 2009. A respective proposal will be made to the Government of the Republic of Estonia in order to amend the Value Added Tax Act.
Compensation for the increase in water prices to low income population
whose average income is less than 4,350 Estonian kroons per month per household member. A respective application may be submitted to the district office twice a year.
A request to the Government of the Republic of Estonia to restore the state subsidy for the renovation of apartment houses.
The state must guarantee apartment house renovation loans in order to support reconstruction, technical inspection and energy audits of buildings.
Launching of a “Fassaadid korda” (Restore the Façades) project
in order to save energy, improve thermal insulation and decrease the maintenance costs of buildings, especially in winter.
Addressing the Government of the Republic of Estonia with a request to establish a stabilisation fund for housing associations experiencing loan repayment problems.
Support for Business Sector
Largest investments by the City of Tallinn - secured jobs.
Building of the Ülemiste intersection will begin in 2010. It is estimated that from 500 to 700 people will be employed either directly or indirectly by this project alone.
Consumer Protection
Creating affordable shopping opportunities at the newly renovated Nõmme food market
which features on the products manufactured mostly from local raw materials and sold at competitive prices compared to other markets and shopping centres in Tallinn. Citizens are welcome to come and sell their garden products and, thereby, earn some extra income.
Monthly information briefings and seminars for consumers,
mostly focusing on social allowances and benefits, housing and waste handling issues, consumer rights, etc. Lectures will be held in schools in order to inform young people about consumer issues.
Counselling of consumers
on the premises of the Tallinn City Government at 7 Vabaduse Sq (daily), and in the newspapers Pealinn and Stolitsa (in Russian) on a regular basis.