Introduction

• Author: Anu Laas
• Pages: 5-6

5

1 Introduction

1.1 Basic structure of the national legal system

Estonia belongs to the Continental European legal system, and is basically divided in to

private and public law. The Parliament (Riigikogu) is the h ighest legislative body and

consists of 101 members elected for a term of four years. In 2019, the Centre Party, Social

Democrats and conservative Pro Patria Party formed a coalition Government.1

Ministries make l egislative proposals, draft laws and hold consultati ons, i.e. they ask

concerned interest groups and public representatives for thei r opinions and proposals.2 A

regulatory imp act an alysis and assessment is performed, and an y draft law proposal is

presented to all ministries and social partners before a draft law is produced. It is mainly

the Ministry of Social Affairs that drafts equality legislation.

The Government Office of Estonia and its European Union secretariat is the central

coordination unit of Estonia’s European Union policy.

The Gender Equality and E qual Treatment Commissioner is an independent and impartial

gender equality body that monitors compliance with the requirements of the Gender

Equality Act (GEA) and the Equal Treatment Act (ETA). The Commissioner gives advice

and can issue non-binding written opinions.

1.2 List of main legislation transposing and implementing the directives

• Civil Service Act (CSA, Avaliku teenistuse seadus);3

• Equal Treatment Act (ETA, Võrdse kohtlemise seadus);4

• Employment Contracts Act (ECA, Töölepingu seadus);5

• Family Benefits Act (FBA, Perehüvitiste seadus);6

• Family Law Act (FLA, Perekonnaseadus);7

• Gender Equality Act (GEA, Soolise võrdõiguslikkuse seadus); 8

• Health Insurance Act (HIA, Ravikindlustuse seadus);9

• Insurance Activities Act (IAA, Kindlustustegevuse seadus);10

• Law of Obligations Act (LOA, Võlaõigusseadus);11

• Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA, Töötervishoiu ja tööohu tuse seadus);12

• Penal Code (PC, Karistusseadustik);13

• Registered Partnership Act (RPA, Kooseluseadus);14

• Social Welfare Act (SWA, Sotsiaalhoolekande seadus);15

• State Pension Insurance Act (SPIA, Riikliku pensionikindlustuse seadus);16

• The Constitution of the Republic of Estonia (Eesti Vabariigi põhiseadu s);17

1 Basic principles of the Government coalition of the Estonian Centre Party, the Conservative People’s Party

of Estonia, and Isamaa for 2019–2023,

https://www.valitsus.ee/sites/default/files/basic_principles_of_the_government_coalition_of_the_estonian_

centre_party_the_conservative_peoples_party_of_estonia_and_isamaa.pdf.

2 Good Practice of Engagement, https://www.riigikantselei.ee/en/good-practice-engagement.

3 RT I, 13.03.2019, 37, https://www.riigiteataja.ee/en/eli/525032019003/consolide.

4 RT I, 26.04.2017, 9, https://www.riigiteataja.ee/en/eli/503052017002/consolide.

5 RT I, 13.03.2019, 173, https://www.riigiteataja.ee/en/eli/520032019008/consolide.

6 RT I, 31.10.2019, 7, https://www.riigiteataja.ee/en/eli/508112019002/consolide.

7 RT I, 09.05.2017, 29, https://www.riigiteataja.ee/en/eli/507022018005/consolide.

8 RT I, 10.01.2019, 19, https://www.riigiteataja.ee/en/eli/516012019002/consolide.

9 RT I, 13.03.2019, 135, https://www.riigiteataja.ee/en/eli/522032019008/consolide.

10 RT I, 04.12.2019, 8, https://www.riigiteataja.ee/en/eli/511122019006/consolide.

11 RT I, 08.01.2020, https://www.riigiteataja.ee/en/eli/515012020004/consolide.

12 RT I, 13.03.2019, 177, https://www.riigiteataja.ee/en/eli/520032019007/consolide.

13 RT I, 28.02.2020, 5, https://www.riigiteataja.ee/en/eli/506032020002/consolide.

14 RT I, 16.10.2014, 1, https://www.riigiteataja.ee/en/eli/527112014001/consolide.

15 RT I, 09.04.2020, 20, https://www.riigiteataja.ee/en/eli/518042020002/consolide.

16 RT I, 28.11.2019, 2, https://www.riigiteataja.ee/en/eli/502122019001/consolide.

17 RT I, 15.05.2015, 2, https://www.riigiteataja.ee/en/eli/521052015001/consolide.