RELIEVING UNEMPLOYMENT
1,000 minimum wage social jobs will be created in municipal companies,
if registered unemployment rate in Tallinn exceeds 5%. These jobs will be targeted to citizens officially residing in Tallinn and registered as unemployed at the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund (formerly Labour Market Board). The jobs will involve cleaning the interiors of public transport vehicles and tram tracks, selling and checking tickets on public transport, cleaning roads and sidewalks, maintenance of children’s playgrounds etc. 100 jobs will be created in June and 900 more jobs from September onwards.
Social jobs creation grants will be available for private sector companies
that currently employ at least 20 people and that plan to create 5 to 30 new jobs of a social nature. These grants will be up to 4,350 Estonian kroons plus social security tax and unemployment insurance payment per month for each employee. The new employees must officially reside in Tallinn and be registered as unemployed at the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund (formerly Labour Market Board).
Providing temporary work to the unemployed in all city districts
in maintaining public parks and green areas, cleaning sidewalks, collecting trash, etc., for an hourly wage rate of 27 to 35 Estonian kroons.
The long-term unemployed will be trained and advised in Employment Training Centres
at 4 Alasi St and 6 Alasi St. A wood, metal and clay workshop, which will allow the unemployed to learn and practise new manual skills, will be established at 5 Lina St in the first half of this year.
Supporting clubs for the unemployed aged 50 and over.
On Mondays, the unemployed meet at the Lindakivi Community Centre in the Lasnamäe District. They will learn to write their CVs, use a computer and prepare for job interviews under the supervision of an experienced psychologist. Here they can communicate with their peers, read newspapers, access the Internet and participate in free computer literacy and language courses, etc.
Benefits and Social Assistance
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.
Lowering the price of express bus tickets by 25%, effective as of June 1st, 2009.
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.
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.
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.