Virtual Visit to Estonia - Job quality a cornerstone for long-term labour market competitiveness
As part of our Virtual Visits initiative, Eurofound organised an exclusive online interactive webinar with its experts on ‘Job quality - a cornerstone for long-term labour market competitiveness’ on Thursday, 15 January 2026, 13.00-14.00 (Estonian time).
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Thursday, 15 January 2026
Start
13:00
End
14:00
Event background
This event took place in the context of Eurofound’s ongoing efforts with key stakeholders at the national level to ensure widespread dissemination and dialogue on our research findings.
Event overview
Job quality is a cornerstone of Estonia’s economic competitiveness and long-term labour market strategy. Quality jobs offering fair wages, good working conditions, learning opportunities and work–life balance are essential for boosting participation, supporting longer and healthier careers, and raising productivity.
Estonia’s productivity growth has slowed compared to the European Union average. To address this, the government aims to raise labour productivity to 110% of the EU average by 2035. Improving job quality is key to achieving this goal.
In today’s rapidly changing economy, shaped by automation and artificial intelligence, robust job quality helps workers adapt, develop new skills and maintain well-being. Reliable evidence on job quality is critical for shaping effective labour policies.
This event incorporated new, interesting and country-specific data demonstrating how job quality is crucial for higher labour force participation, higher well-being and increased economic performance. Job quality is also a key component in making work sustainable and enabling workers to stay motivated to remain in work for longer.
Particular attention was paid to measures to improve job quality across age cohorts (young and older workers), address the unequal division of care between men and women, and assess the impact of artificial intelligence on work and employment. It also explored how to enhance the attractiveness of sectors and occupations facing labour shortages, including those deemed essential to Estonia’s competitiveness, such as health and social services, ICT, education and manufacturing.
This event took place in collaboration with Eurofound’s Estonian Board Members and with its national correspondent in Estonia.
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The presentation is available for download below.
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Image © Per Swantesson/Stocksy/Adobe Stock
Agenda
Contact
For any queries about the #Virtual Visits, please contact Bernice Turner:
Bernice Turner
Communication OfficerNo additional information available.
Eurofound speakers
Barbara Gerstenberger
Head of UnitBarbara Gerstenberger voditeljica je odjela za radni život u Eurofoundu. U toj ulozi koordinira istraživačke timove koji istražuju kvalitetu radnih mjesta u Europi na temelju Europskog istraživanja o radnim uvjetima te je općenito odgovorna za Europski opservatorij za radni život i istraživanje industrijskih odnosa u EU-u. Pridružila se Eurofoundu 2001. kao voditeljica istraživanja u tada novoosnovanom Europskom centru za praćenje promjena (EMCC). Godine 2007. prešla je u Eurofoundov odjel za informacije i komunikacije kao voditeljica komunikacijskih proizvoda, a 2011. imenovana je koordinatoricom u Upravi. Prije toga radila je kao viša znanstvena službenica u Europskoj federaciji metalaca u Bruxellesu. Diplomirala je političke znanosti na Sveučilištu u Hamburgu, a magistrirala je javnu upravu na Kennedy School of Government, Sveučilište Harvard.
Sara Riso
Senior research managerSara Riso joined Eurofound in 2006 and is currently a senior research manager in the Working Life unit. She is engaged in research projects focusing on digitalisation and working conditions. Before joining Eurofound, Sara managed research projects for large Brussels-based European associations and networks. Her academic background is in psychology, communication and languages. Her main research interest lies in exploring new workplace stressors arising from increased digitalisation of work, evolving organisational practices, and change management strategies to address the challenges posed by digitalisation in modern working environments.
Ivailo Kalfin
Executive DirectorIvailo Kalfin pridružio se Eurofoundu kao izvršni direktor 1. lipnja 2021. Stručno znanje g. Kalfina obuhvaća niz područja, od dinamike tržišta rada i socijalne politike do globalnih političkih trendova, EU-a i proračuna te digitalne transformacije. Istaknuo je pet glavnih prioriteta za svoju ulogu u Eurofoundu: potpora uključivanju zelene i digitalne tranzicije Europe; dopunjavanje provedbe akcijskog plana za provedbu europskog stupa socijalnih prava istraživanjima utemeljenima na dokazima; pojačana suradnja s međunarodnim organizacijama i vanjskim partnerima te veći dopiranje do zemalja europske politike susjedstva; potpora jačanju i proširenju kapaciteta socijalnih partnera u nadležnosti Agencije; povećanje vidljivosti Eurofounda među ključnim dionicima.
Mary McCaughey
Head of UnitMary McCaughey voditeljica je odjela za informiranje i komunikaciju u Eurofoundu. Diplomirala je na Trinity Collegeu u Dublinu i College of Europe u Brugesu, a počela je raditi u Bruxellesu za Europolitics i Wall Street Journal Europe. Surađivala je s Udrugom europskih parlamentaraca s Afrikom (AWEPA) u Južnoj Africi tijekom tranzicije zemlje u demokraciju, a 1998. preuzela je dužnost glasnogovornice Delegacije Europske unije u Pretoriji, na čelu njezina odjela za tisak i informiranje tijekom pregovora o sporazumu o slobodnoj trgovini između EU-a i Južne Afrike. Nakon završetka rata na Kosovu radila je kao savjetnica za komunikacije u Europskoj agenciji za obnovu u Srbiji. Dužnost glavne urednice Eurofounda preuzela je 2003.
Series: Virtual Visits
Hosted online and tailored to individual countries, Virtual Visits offer a unique opportunity to engage directly with Eurofound researchers. The sessions provide insights into current developments, explore the latest findings and facilitate discussion on topics of national relevance.