Inquiry regarding the Directive on Platform Work (No. 629)
Session: Fifteenth Riigikogu, third session, plenary sitting.
Date: 2024-06-03 21:47
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 32
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 49m
AI Summaries: 32/32 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
This agenda item addressed Riigikogu Inquiry No. 629 concerning the handling of the Platform Work Directive. The questioners emphasized the directive’s substance and its effect on tens of thousands of Estonian residents, and inquired why Estonia failed to support the directive in the initial vote, as well as the nature and transparency of Bolt’s lobbying activities. The debate raised questions regarding lobbying registers and the prevention of conflicts of interest within ministries, as well as previous volumes of information and data points that had been covered in the media. Furthermore, the discussion touched upon the Bolt stock options associated with Sandra Särav, the protection of state interests when they clash with the commercial interests of private companies, and the overarching question of how the state plans to resolve such situations uniformly and fairly in the future.
A second major focal point was the issue of transparency and democratic oversight concerning the relationship between the questioners and the government: specifically, what procedures the ministry has in place to ensure lobbying transparency, whether meetings with lobbyists have occurred without being recorded in the register, and how national interests are affected in conjunction with private interests when coalition partners and corporations are interconnected. Finally, Minister Tiit Riisalo presented his answers to the eight questions, and the discussion revealed the steps the government plans to take to ensure lawful and transparent action in regulating platform work, and how subsequent issues related to the prevention of conflicts of interest will be addressed.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were made regarding Inquiry No. 629
Most Active Speaker
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart – Member of the Riigikogu. Her position was described as formal and political, yet she participated primarily in another capacity (as a speaker). She raised and facilitated several questions during the discussion concerning the platform work directive and conflicts of interest. Her involvement was a focal point, and she spoke on multiple agenda items, demonstrating a continuous interest in the transparency and legal clarity of the debate.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Riigikogu proceeded to the second item on the agenda: Interpellation No. 629 concerning the Platform Work Directive, submitted on April 29, 2024, by Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart, Lauri Laats, Andrei Korobeinik, Aleksandr Tšaplõgin, Aleksei Jevgrafov, and Vadim Belobrovtsev. Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart was then invited to the speaker’s stand on behalf of the interpellators. Simultaneously, apologies were offered and a point of order concerning Kalle Grünthal was raised.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal points out that Tiit Riisalo did not face a successful vote of no confidence, recalling earlier times when a motion of no confidence against a minister failed and all parliamentary groups brought him flowers. He then asks why the Reform Party or anyone else didn't bring him flowers this time, and whether they aren't pleased that the minister remained in office.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi said that times have changed and this is not a procedural matter, and then called upon Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The report alleges that Bolt’s lobbying, along with opposition from Eesti 200 and certain ministers, was responsible for the torpedoing of the platform work directive. Furthermore, it raises questions concerning the transparency of the lobbying efforts, conflicts of interest among officials, the substance of the meetings, and the terms of Sandra Särav’s Bolt options.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanks the audience.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The core question is how the government intends to address situations going forward where state interests may conflict with the commercial interests of private businesses.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi announces that Tiit Riisalo, the Minister of Economic Affairs and Information Technology, will answer the interpellators' questions from the Riigikogu podium.
Majandus- ja infotehnoloogiaminister Tiit Riisalo
AI Summary
Minister of Economic Affairs and Information Technology Tiit Riisalo stated that Estonia seeks clear, proportional, and legally certain regulation in the Platform Work Directive that does not restrict innovation, having supported the compromise from the start despite the final text not being ideal. He simultaneously emphasized that algorithmic decisions must, when necessary, be made by a human to ensure legal clarity, while also identifying lobbying transparency and the prevention of conflicts of interest as ministry priorities. Furthermore, he confirmed that he had not instructed the commission chairwoman to interrupt the platform work discussion, and assured that the state will protect the interests of businesses transparently and fairly.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Jüri Ratas thanks the minister for the answers, notes that the topic has not yet been exhausted and that there are additional questions, which he then directs to Andrei Korobeinik.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik argues that if an algorithm were to decide an employee's suitability in large companies, leading to job termination, he would find that unacceptable. He also highlights the specific nature of platform work at Bolt or Uber and asks what distinguishes a regular job from the work of a taxi driver.
Majandus- ja infotehnoloogiaminister Tiit Riisalo
AI Summary
Riisalo stated that platform work is voluntary, and it is necessary to strike the right balance between algorithmic decisions and human oversight. This should be achieved by providing a precise list detailing when decisions can be made solely by an algorithm and when they require human review, thereby ensuring legal certainty. He further stressed that Estonia is not opposed to the concept of algorithmic transparency.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas asks Rain Epler to speak.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler asks the minister whether he was aware of Sandra Särav's close ties to Bolt, and whether a clear instruction should have been given that she should not deal with Bolt-related matters in the future.
Majandus- ja infotehnoloogiaminister Tiit Riisalo
AI Summary
Riisalo stated that Sandra Särav neither made decisions nor participated in the issues concerning Bolt. The only problem was that one letter failed to be entered into the registry, and they will be more vigilant in the future, given that the decisions were made by other people.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
This is a brief request to invite Evelin Poolamets forward.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets raised the point that Sandra Särava, the Deputy Secretary General for Economic Affairs and Innovation, has represented Bolt's business interests, and asked whether there are other lobbyists on the state payroll within the ministry who represent the interests of companies.
Majandus- ja infotehnoloogiaminister Tiit Riisalo
AI Summary
Riisalo emphasized that the ministry must explain and educate on what is correct and within the framework of current law, ensure transparency, and guarantee clear movement for those transitioning from the private sector to the state and vice versa. Furthermore, he noted that the economic interest declarations of officials are public and that the frameworks are primarily provided by the Ministry of Justice.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Vice-Speaker Jüri Ratas asked Anti Poolamets to come and speak.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets stresses that while the Estonian economy and IT companies are performing well, platform workers must adhere to the law, including the Language Act, and pay labor taxes. Otherwise, platform work essentially becomes a way to circumvent legislation, particularly when thousands of taxi drivers who don't speak the language are brought in from Central Asia.
Majandus- ja infotehnoloogiaminister Tiit Riisalo
AI Summary
Riisalo pointed out that Estonia has already regulated platform work under existing legislation, and since the Platform Work Directive is general in nature, it does not necessitate major amendments. However, the forthcoming analysis will examine the areas excluded from the directive—such as algorithmic transparency, the basis for employment contracts, and taxation—and will clarify whether domestic law needs to be adjusted to ensure that workers and consumers of the service are adequately protected.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Jüri Ratas invited Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart to speak.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart emphasizes that the general directive is mostly positive because it grants flexibility to member states and allows space for the interests of businesses. However, she simultaneously notes that Bolt is the sole employer for many, and she asks who is voluntarily keeping these taxi drivers employed at Bolt and who is forcing them to work elsewhere, requesting clarification on the matter.
Majandus- ja infotehnoloogiaminister Tiit Riisalo
AI Summary
Riisalo said that the European Union does not need empty directives, and Estonia regulates the internal market itself. Platform work is voluntary and differs from working under an employment contract—people do this by their own choice.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas thanked the Minister for the answers to both the written questions and those asked here on the floor, announced that the questioning period was concluded, and opened the debates, inviting Andrei Korobeinik, the representative of the interpellators, to take the floor at the Riigikogu podium.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Even though the sharing economy relies on voluntary labor, the state is necessary to curb slavery and ensure social guarantees, preventing voluntary choice from turning into exploitation.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
There are still requests to speak, and the floor is requested for Urmas Reinsalu.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu stated that he is skeptical about the harmonization of social rights at the European level, criticized the state's decision-making process and lobbying efforts regarding the issue of platform work, and called on the minister to provide explanations within the framework of the no-confidence procedure.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas invited Anti Poolamets to the Riigikogu rostrum.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets is criticizing the insufficient enforcement of laws in Tallinn and the mass influx of illegal immigrants facilitated via the Bolt and Wolt platforms. He demands strict adherence to state laws by both the platforms and the government, as well as the mandatory payment of taxes.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas announced that there were no further requests to speak and invited the Minister of Economic Affairs and Information Technology, Tiit Riisalo, to the Riigikogu podium.
Majandus- ja infotehnoloogiaminister Tiit Riisalo
AI Summary
Minister of Economic Affairs and Information Technology Tiit Riisalo apologized before the Riigikogu for the confusion over the response deadline and the need for different regulation of two legal frameworks. He explained that the meeting scheduled for May 15 was supposed to take place on June 3, and that the information regarding the Geneva visit was public, adding that he had nothing to hide.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Jüri Ratas expresses his thanks and announces that there are no further requests to speak. He concludes the discussions, confirming that the interpellation has been answered.