Estonia, Finland to start exchanging employment related data

TALLINN - Estonia and Finland are about to develop IT solutions for the exchange of data related to employment.

Estonia's Minister of Social Protection Signe Riisalo is in Helsinki on Monday to sign a memorandum of cooperation with Finland's Minister of Social Security Sanni Grahn-Laasonen. As a result of this cooperation, data exchange in the field of social security will be improved to make it easier to determine benefits for people moving between the two countries for the purpose of employment and to avoid double insurance coverage, spokespeople for the Estonian Ministry of Social Affairs said.

The memorandum focuses in particular on the exchange of social tax and employment data to create better conditions for people living or working in both countries. As a result of the data exchange project, authorities in both countries will be able to exchange mass data in an automated and efficient way. 

"Today's agreement is a very important step forward in the field of social security, as it symbolizes the strong commitment of the two countries to improving data exchange. The memorandum of cooperation sets the stage for bringing the necessary change in the field to create clarity with a view to avoiding double insurance coverage," Riisalo was quoted as saying.

In addition, the Estonian minister will meet with Finland's minister of social affairs and health, Kaisa Juuso, to discuss the integration of health care and social services and Finland's experiences and lessons in relation to the concept of welfare economy. The discussion also covers Estonia's intentions with regard to employers' pensions, with experiences to be exchanged in connection with the planned amendment to the law on funded pensions and the introduction of new pension schemes in order to maintain an adequate level of pensions in a situation where the numbers of taxpayers are declining.

"We very much appreciate the opportunity to learn from Finland's experience and to explore new ways of integrating and coordinating social and health services. We also look forward to further dialogue and cooperation on employers' pensions and the digitalization of social security," Riisalo added.