Tallinn fights the recession

In April 2009, Tallinn City Council approved a two-year and 42-point action plan in order to alleviate the effects of the economic crisis for the citizens and entrepreneurs of the capital of Estonia.

The Mayor of Tallinn Edgar Savisaar explained that similar packages of other cities, especially that of London, were reviewed before drafting one for Tallinn.

Registration of the unemployed to work for the municipal transport company

The 311 million EEK (ca 20 million EUR) economic recession assistance package focuses on relieving unemployment, providing coun-celling and social assistance, decreasing housing expenses, as well as increasing support to businesses. Additional funding has been al- located to shelters and soup kitchens in order to expand their services, two new social accommodation units and three new employment training centres have been opened in 2009. Family, labour and debt coun-celling have been made easily available. Compensation of the costs of water and heat have been increased for less privileged. Salary grants for both municipal and private companies hiring unemployed have been introduced by the city government. Almost 500 unemployed have been already hired by municipal transportation companies to clean vehicles and to assist passengers, over 500 have been involved in public work and at least 150 will be hired by private companies by the end of this year. 20% lower rent levels are offered to companies operating in municipal premises against hiring at least 5 unemployed forthe period of two years.

Registered unemployment in Tallinn has increased from 7,900 to over 23,000 in just nine months this year. In January 2008 there were only 3,200 registered unemployed in the city of Tallinn. Fast reaction to the changes was inevitable, thus, we are satisfied with the progress of the execution of the action plan concludes Mayor Savisaar.