Country profile EST
National Legal Framework
National Legal Framework
| Provision | Legislation date | Convention | Legislation info | sources | Value | sort_order | Provision description | Legislation description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Is the use, procuring or offering of children for illicit activities, in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs, prohibited? | 2001-06-06 | C182 | Penal Code - Article 133, Article 184 | [{"link_name":"Penal Code","source_link":"https://www.riigiteataja.ee/akt/184411"}] | No | 11 | C182 prohibits the use, procuring or offering of children for illicit activities in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs. | The Penal Code in Article 133 prohibits enslavement, which is defined as putting a person in a situation where they are forced against their will to work for someone else or to fulfil other obligations, as well as keeping a person in such a situation. It also increases the penalties if the act is committed against a person younger than 18 years. The Penal Code Article 184 prohibits the production and trafficking of drugs. No specific mention, however, of using, procuring, or offering a child for the production and trafficking of drugs, as well as other types of illicit activities, is prohibited. |
| Is the use, procuring or offering of a child for the purpose of prostitution and for production of pornography prohibited? | 2001-06-06 | C182 | Penal Code - Article 133, Articles 175-178 | [{"link_name":"Penal Code","source_link":"https://www.riigiteataja.ee/akt/184411"}] | Yes | 10 | C182 prohibits the use of a child under the age of 18 for prostitution, regardless of the child's consent. The use, procuring or offering of any person under the age of 18 for commercial sexual exploitation constitutes a worst form of child labour, even if prostitution is a legalised. In regard to the prohibition of child pornography, States need to make sure that national legislation addresses the involvement of a child in the production of pornographic materials, including non-recorded performances. | The Penal Code in Article 133 prohibits enslavement, which is defined as putting a person in a situation where they are forced against their will to work for someone else or to fulfil other obligations, as well as keeping a person in such a situation. It also increases the penalties if the act is committed against a person younger than 18 years. According to the Penal Code Articles 175-178, the use, procuring, or offering of a child for prostitution or the production of pornography is prohibited. |
| Is forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18 for use in armed conflict prohibited? | 2012-06-13 | C182 | Defense Service Act - Article 2 | [{"link_name":"Defense Service Act","source_link":"https://www.riigiteataja.ee/akt/101032017003"}] | Yes | 9 | C182 defines forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18 for use in armed conflict as a worst form of child labour. Nevertheless, C182 only prohibits the forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18, and does not cover the voluntary recruitment of children under 18. | According to Article 2 of the Defence Service Act, the minimum age for recruitment into the Estonian armed forces is 18 years. |
| Is the sale and trafficking of children for sexual and labour exploitation prohibited? | 2001-06-06 | C182 | Penal Code - Article 133, Articles 175-178 | [{"link_name":"Penal Code","source_link":"https://www.riigiteataja.ee/akt/184411"}] | Yes | 8 | C182 defines all forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery, such as the sale and trafficking of children, debt bondage and serfdom and forced or compulsory labour as worst forms of child labour. | The Penal Code in Article 133 prohibits enslavement, which is defined as putting a person in a situation where they are forced against their will to work for someone else or to fulfil other obligations, as well as keeping a person in such a situation. It also increases the penalties if the act is committed against a person younger than 18 years. According to the Penal Code Articles 175-178, the use, procuring, or offering of a child for prostitution or the production of pornography is prohibited. |
| List of hazardous activities prohibited for children | 2009-06-11 | C138 & C182 | Regulation No. 94 of 11 June 2009 | [{"link_name":"Regulation No. 94 of 11 June 2009","source_link":"https://www.riigiteataja.ee/akt/126032015017"}] | Yes | 7 | C138 and C182 require the national determination of a list of hazardous work prohibited for children under 18 years of age. The competent authorities should consult with workers' and employers' organizations to determine what types of employment or work are considered to be hazardous. Such a list shall be periodically examined and revised as necessary. | Regulation No. 94 of 11 June 2009 provides a list of hazardous activities prohibited for children under 18. |
| Minimum age for hazardous work | 2008-12-17 | C138 & C182 | Employment Act - Article 7(2) | [{"link_name":"Employment Act","source_link":"https://www.riigiteataja.ee/akt/112072014146"}] | 18 | 6 | C138 and C182 set 18 as the minimum age for hazardous work, which is defined as work that, due to its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out, is likely to jeopardize children’s health, safety or morals. C138 and C182 allow countries to permit hazardous work exceptionally as from 16, provided that the health, safety and morals of the young persons concerned are fully protected and that they have received adequate specific instruction or training. | Article 7(2) of the Employment Act sets the minimum age for hazardous work at 18 years. |
| Minimum age for admission to apprenticeship | 2013-06-12 | C138 | Vocational Education Institution Act - Section 25(1) | [{"link_name":"Vocational Education Institution Act","source_link":"https://www.riigiteataja.ee/akt/102072013001"}] | 17 | 5 | C138 does not apply to work done in school for general, vocational or technical education or in training institutions or work done by children at least 14 years of age in undertakings, where such work is carried out in accordance with conditions prescribed by the competent authority. Such work must be an integral part of: (i) a course of education or training for which a school or training institution is primarily responsible; (ii) a programme of training mainly or entirely in an undertaking, which programme has been approved by the competent authority; or (iii) a programme of guidance or orientation designed to facilitate the choice of an occupation or of a line of training. | According to Section 25(1) of the Vocational Education Institutions Act, which came into force on 1 September 2013, the requirement enabling the acquisition of vocational secondary education shall be basic education or, with regard to persons without basic education, shall be at least 22 years of age with competencies corresponding to the level of basic education. |
| Is the minimum age for admission to work not less than the age for completion of compulsory schooling? | 2010-06-09 | C138 | Basic Schools and Upper Secondary Schools Act - Section 2 (1), Section 9 | [{"link_name":"Basic Schools and Upper Secondary Schools Act","source_link":"https://www.riigiteataja.ee/akt/13332410"}] | No | 4 | C138 requires that the minimum age for admission to work shall not be less than the age of completion of compulsory schooling and, in any case, shall not be less than 15 years. | According to Section 9 of the Basic Schools and Upper Secondary Schools Act, a person who has attained the age of 7 years is required to attend school until they acquire basic education (which, as per Section 2(1), lasts for nine years) or they attain the age of 17 years. This is two years older than the minimum age for admission to work. |
| Light work - Determination of types and conditions of activities | 2009-06-11 | C138 | Regulation No. 94 of 11 June 2009 | [{"link_name":"Regulation No. 94 of 11 June 2009","source_link":"https://www.riigiteataja.ee/akt/13191258"}] | Yes | 3 | If the country chooses to allow light work, States must determine what activities are considered light work, and the hours and the circumstances under which they may be carried out. | The Government of the Republic Regulation No. 94 of 11 June 2009 specifies the types and conditions of light work that children aged 13-14 can perform. This regulation ensures that light work does not harm the health, development, or schooling of children. |
| Minimum age for light work | 2008-12-17 | C138 | Employment Act - Article 7(4) | [{"link_name":"Employment Act","source_link":"https://www.riigiteataja.ee/akt/112072014146"}] | 13 | 2 | C138 defines light work as work that does not interfere with children’s schooling, or their ability to benefit from it, and that is not hazardous. C138 allows countries to permit light work for children younger than the general minimum age. For countries that set the minimum age at 15, this means children aged 13-14, and for those that set it at 14, children aged 12-13 may engage in light work. | As per Article 7(4) of the Employment Contracts Act, an employer may conclude an employment contract with a 13-14-year-old minor or a 15-16-year-old school-compulsory minor and allow them to work where the work duties are simple and do not require great physical or mental effort (light work). A minor between the ages of 7 and 12 is allowed to do light work in cultural, artistic, sports, or advertising activities. |
| Minimum age for admission to work | 2008-12-17 | C138 | Employment Act - Article 7(1) | [{"link_name":"Employment Act","source_link":"https://www.riigiteataja.ee/akt/112072014146"}] | 15 | 1 | C138 establishes 15 as the minimum age for work in general. Developing countries have the option of setting a minimum age of 14 as a transitional measure as they strengthen their education systems and economies. | In Estonia, the minimum age for admission to work is regulated by the Employment Act (Töölepingu seadus). According to Article 7(1) of the Employment Act, the minimum age for employment is 15 years. |
International Legal Framework
International Legal Framework
| Ratification status | Convention | Convention description | Date of ratification | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| in-force | C182 | Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) | 24-SEP-2001 | Source |
| in-force | C138 | Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) | 15-MAR-2007 | Source |
Policies and Plans
Policies and Plans
| Description | sources | Period | Policy name | Implementing agency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estonia has a national action plan titled "Development Plan for Children and Families 2012-2020" and its subsequent updates, which addresses various aspects of child welfare. The Ministry of Social Affairs is responsible for its implementation. The plan focuses on protecting children's rights, establishing an efficient child protection system, ensuring families' economic stability, and promoting equal opportunities for balancing work, family, and personal life. | [{"link_name":"Development Plan for Children and Families","source_link":"https://www.riigiteataja.ee/akt/329082015004"}] | 2012-2020 | Development Plan for Children and Families | Ministry of Social Affairs |