For the first time enterprises and organisations that acknowledge diversity as a competitive advantage and an important value, receive a Diversity Label „Respecting differences“ today. Labels are handed over at the cafeteria Tuljak after the conference that deals with age diversity.

Employers that receive the label value diversity, they have comprised a diversity action plan and their work environment ensures equal opportunities for everyone regardless of their differences. The Diversity Label „Respecting differences“ will be given to Swedbank, My City Hotel, Kaubamaja, SEB Pank, Estanc, Manpower, Koduekstra, HAVI Logistics, Tieto Estonia, ISS Estonia, Law Firm LMP, Astangu Vocational Rehabilitation Centre, Estonian National Foundation for Civil Society, Helpific, Estonian Ministry of Social Affairs, Estonian Emergency Response Centre and Labour Inspectorate.

The label is handed over by the Minister of Health and Labour Jevgeni Ossinovski, according to whom, the organisations that receive the Label are great examples of modern employers, who also take into account employees’ differences additionally to their skills. „Diverse work environment and the ability to make different people work for a common goal is the basis of success of those organisations“ said the Minister.

„The receipients of the label are remarkable organisations in every sense – they direct the trends and offer solutions“ said Kelly Grossthal who is the expert in the field of equal treatment in the Estonian Human Rights Centre. „All the parties of the labour market win from respecting differences, respect being a verb at that.“

There is also a daytime conference called „Age is just a number! Also on the labour market?“.

Diversity Label has been created by the Estonian Human Rights Centre with the cooperation of the Estonian Ministry of Social Affairs. The Label is connected to the Estonian Diversity Charter that has been already signed by approximately 100 Estonian organisations.

Estonian Human Rights Centre is an independent non-governmental human rights advocacy organisation. The mission of EHRC is to work together for Estonia that respects the human rights of each person. EHRC develops its activities according to the needs of the society. The focus of EHRC is currently on the advancement of equal treatment of minority groups and diversity & inclusion and the human rights of asylum seekers and refugees. EHRC coordinates the Estonian Diversity Charter and is a NGO partner for UNHCR (the UN Refugee Agency) in Estonia.