Estonian Future of Work Summit 2025

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This workshop offers an opportunity for all stakeholders - politicians, platforms, companies and academics - to discuss the latest future of work trends as well as how the EU Platform Work Directive should be implemented in Estonia and across the Baltic states.

Date & Time: 29th October 2025, 14:00 - 16:00

Location: Estonian Business School (A. Lauteri tn 3, 10114 Tallinn, Estonia) Room 413 (Aula Magna)

Format: 2-hour moderated discussion followed by networking cocktail hour

Language: English

Sign up: https://luma.com/vcu9gopk

Topics include worker classification, algorithmic management, and the importance of flexibility in a rapidly evolving digital labour market. The summit will provide input into national legislation and showcase best practice.

We want to discuss the current situation in Estonia - in a neutral and open way - by bringing together all decision-makers, opinion-formers and a broad group of stakeholders. This will be an English language event.

OBJECTIVE OF THE WORKSHOP 

The goal of the event is to:

• Bring together relevant stakeholders and shape how the future of work should look.
• Profile and educate on the future of work and the changes to the labour market brought about by digitalisation, as well as the changing demands of companies and individuals.
• Educate on platform work and the workstyle of independent contractors.
• Underline best in class examples from other countries.

INVITEES

• Platforms - ride-hailing and food delivery as well as platforms for knowledge workers
• Confederation of Employers
• The Ministry of Social Affairs & Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications
• Politicians and Political Party representatives 
• Freelancers
• Government representatives from ministries and agencies 
• Trade Union representatives
• Academics

The event will be divided into two parts: 1) moderated discussion covering key topics, 2) networking cocktail.

14:00 - Networking & Welcome 

• Welcome from EBS and CFET

14:10 - Panel discussion: Platform Work and its importance for Jobs and Growth (50 minutes)

Panelists: Ministry official, Political party representative, Wolt, Bolt

Moderated by Glen Hodgson, Free Trade Europa/Freelance Movement

This will be an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss:

(i) benefits that the platform economy brings to the economy: concrete opportunities for a number of sectors as well as the extra earning opportunities for individuals; 

(ii) regulatory angle - how policy (including the Platform Work Directive) should enable the further growth of the platform ecosystem, rather than kill it.

Glen Hodgson could also provide an update on the discussions and timeframes in other European countries. This session can consist of a panel discussion and then a broader Q&A.

15:00 - Break

15:10 - Panel discussion: New developments in the future of work (50 minutes)

Panelists: Ministry official, Political party representative, Wolt, Bolt

Moderated by Glen Hodgson, Free Trade Europa/Freelance Movement

This will be an opportunity to discuss broader themes including why people are choosing portfolio careers and flexible work arrangements over the traditional 9 to 5 arrangement. We will also discuss how companies and organisations - as well as individuals - are adapting to the new reality.

16:00 - Cocktail begins