Mass immigration of labor
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 4th sitting, information briefing
Date: 2024-10-09 15:55
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 13
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 13m
AI Summaries: 13/13 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
This agenda item addressed the Riigikogu’s 6th question regarding mass labor migration and its impact on Estonian employment. The questioner was Riigikogu member Tõnis Lukas, and Prime Minister Kaja Kallas was to respond. The debate primarily revolved around the question itself: whether and to what extent Estonia is prepared to increase the migration quota, and what the associated risks and benefits would be. Under discussion were national security, language…, the right to vote, and sustainable integration, as well as the economic necessity (the shortage of skilled workers), which is critical for the Estonian economy. In addition, exemptions, quotas, and the sectoral input from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and OSKA reports were examined, and how all of this aligns with the expectations of employers regarding the demand for skilled labor.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions have been made. The discussion continues and further consideration of the quota, exemptions, and immigration policy remains the task of future sessions.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Kristen Michal (Prime Minister). His role and position within the working group is at the head of the Government of the Republic of Estonia – the Prime Minister; in this context, his position would be assessed as something other than "right-wing" or "right-leaning" (and will be referred to as such moving forward, in terms of political spectrum categorization).
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Today, the sixth question will be posed to Prime Minister Kristen Michal. The question is being asked by Riigikogu member Tõnis Lukas, and the topic is the mass immigration of labor.
Tõnis Lukas
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Tõnis Lukas acknowledged that Estonia has benefited from immigration in terms of employment in recent years, but he questioned whether the massive influx of labor and the threefold increase of the quota, coupled with the rapid acquisition of voting rights and the easing of language requirements, is affordable and sustainable for the Estonian people.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal stated that while immigration trends have declined and the number of Ukrainian citizens in Estonia is steadily increasing, the economy requires skilled labor for growth. Therefore, the debate over the quota must be resolved using residence permits and exceptions so that people can increase their prosperity.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks the Prime Minister and announces that Tõnis Lukas will ask a follow-up question next.
Tõnis Lukas
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Speaking about the quota and exceptions, Tõnis Lukas said that even though there are few applications and the quota hasn't been filled, there is no need to raise the quota or broaden the exceptions. This is because importing cheap labor from third countries is unnecessary, especially since salaries in that sector are already about 1.5 times the Estonian average, and doing so would take jobs away from Estonians.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
He emphasizes that now is your time.
Tõnis Lukas
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Tõnis Lukas believes that the continued influx into the Estonian state will become a burden in the future, both socially and in terms of security.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Hussar thanks the Prime Minister and asks for something.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that the growth of the Estonian economy requires highly skilled workers who create higher added value, and the state must train them and integrate them into production. He emphasized that what is important is not quotas, but skilled labor, and that the country must be secured in the interests of both security and the economy.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanks [the previous speaker] and invites Martin Helme to ask a supplementary question.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme claims that the Estonian nation-state is threatened by Russification and mass immigration, a situation which is favored by the government's quota policy and which stems from the large numbers of people of Russian and Ukrainian origin, rather than any actual need for labor.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that the facts must be corrected and that immigration trends have decreased since last year—49,414 people arrived in Estonia in 2022, compared to 26,399 in 2023. As of the beginning of 2024, there are 60,414 people with Ukrainian citizenship in Estonia, 44,480 of whom, or about 73%, have arrived since the start of 2022—therefore, the claim of mass immigration does not correspond to the truth.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chair thanks the audience and announces that he is concluding the consideration of today's sixth question.