Draft law amending the Aliens Act and, in consequence thereof, amending other laws (to enhance migration procedures) – first reading
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
Date: 2025-01-28 12:03
Total Speeches: 69
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 1h 8m
AI Summaries: 69/69 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu discussed the draft law amending the Foreigners Act and related laws (improving migration proceedings) 548 for its first reading, initiated by the Republic of Estonia’s Government. Minister of the Interior Lauri Läänemets introduced the draft, the purpose of which is to modernize the law, improve migration proceedings, and strengthen migration control. Key changes highlighted included the creation of an electronic “one-stop shop” principle to simplify procedures for entrepreneurs, and the toughening of requirements for security considerations. For example, an employer must have been operating in Estonia for at least 12 months (18 months for temporary work), and the grounds for refusing a residence permit are expanded in connection with foreign countries' security agencies. In addition, a mandatory integration program and proof of Estonian language proficiency at least at the A2 level are established for applicants for temporary residence permits.
During the debate, the focus was mainly on language requirements, control of temporary work (including platform taxis), and the extent of abuse of residence permits. The Minister confirmed that the purpose of the draft is to prevent abuse and improve control through database compatibility, but emphasized that the speed of the procedural process depends on the resources of the PPA (Police and Border Guard Board). The Minister also confirmed that he does not support increasing the immigration quota. The Constitutional Committee rapporteur Eduard Odinets explained the committee’s discussion, which supported the further processing of the draft. The Eesti 200 faction (Toomas Uibo) supported the draft's digital solutions, but called for a broader reform of migration policy to create a quota for skilled workers linked to economic growth.
Decisions Made 2
Bill 548 has concluded its first reading.
The deadline for submitting amendments was set for February 11, 2024, at 5:15 PM.
Most Active Speaker
Anti Poolamets (EKRE, right-wing) was an active questioner, focusing on the lack of control over rented workers and the mass influx of foreign labor in the capital, who do not speak Estonian, criticizing the Ministry of the Interior's passivity in resolving the situation.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi opened today’s agenda and announced as the first item the draft law on the amendment of the Aliens Act and, related to it, the draft law amending other laws, draft bill No. 548, first reading, the presentation of which will be delivered by the esteemed Minister of the Interior Lauri Läänemets at the Riigikogu’s rostrum.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Lauri Läänemets presents a draft to update the Aliens Act and related laws, the aim of which is to speed up and simplify procedures, strengthen migration control and security, and reduce misuse with the help of a digital one-stop-shop solution.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman, Toomas Kivimägi, thanks you and announces that you have some questions, and asks Tõnis Lukas to take the floor.
Tõnis Lukas
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Tõnis Lukas asks whether the law really facilitates the arrival of the people Estonia needs, or if it is merely a reduction of bureaucracy and a strengthening of the status of the digital state, and whether there is anything else behind this facilitation.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Läänemets said that a service would be created for entrepreneurs through a one-stop shop and bureaucracy would be reduced, but the core principles of the law would not be changed, and the aim of the changes is to improve the control and oversight of who comes here to work and where data are submitted.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The deputy chair asks Urve Tiidus to speak.
Urve Tiidus
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Urve Tiidus asks why the aim of reducing the misuse of residence permits is only to bring it down to the minimum, rather than to achieve zero right away.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets said that achieving zero may not always succeed, because someone will find a way to misuse it, but they are trying to prevent misuse and bring it to a minimum as much as possible.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi asks Andres Sutt to speak.
Andres Sutt
AI Summary
Andres Sutt emphasized that globally the competition for qualified labor is intensifying and Estonia must be attractive both in attracting labor and in ensuring security, and asked how much under the new law the acceleration of the single-window principle and the electronic communication channel could take place in decision-making compared with the current situation.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
For the entrepreneur, the process changes such that the submission of the application is handled through a single window in one go, but the actual speed depends on the staff available at the PPA, and ultimately more staff are needed, although the bill aims to speed up the procedure itself.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi asks Anti Poolametsa to take the floor.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets notes that the draft deals with agency workers, who are often precisely that gray area where there is no control or where control is faulty, and asks what, in your view, real improvement of control means.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Connecting agency-worker databases helps verify that wages, working hours, and working conditions meet the requirements and detect possible violations, and changes to the law require that companies operating in Estonia have been active for at least 18 months.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi invited Lauri Laats to speak.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats stated in his speech that, in the short term, the number of applications to register employment in Estonia has fallen (2022: 29,000; 2023: 9,900), and he asked for 2024 data and explanations regarding language requirements, including the enactment and retroactivity of the A4 level requirement, the justification for excluding the use of the Russian language, and examples from other countries where applications are completed and in which language they are completed.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets said that the Russian language requirement will be abolished, because no one from Russia will come here, and the new requirement applies only to people who move here to live, who must meet the A2 level requirement, complete the integration program, and for a long-term residence permit also the B1 level, but retroactively this does not apply.
Priit Sibul
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Priit Sibul asks whether the use of the Estonian language is declining or not and how to ensure it, and adds a question about increasing the coalition's quota, which he does not support.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi invites Priit Sibul to speak.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets said that the requirements for language learning should be made stricter, and although the level is A2, not B1, many people who have obtained temporary residence here did not even know the A2 level, which would help their Estonian language skills improve, but there is no need to increase the quota, and changes to exemptions could make the situation clearer and better.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman, Toomas Kivimägi, invited Rain Epler to speak.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler asked whether the draft bill provides relief or incentives so that the specialists needed in Estonia can come here, and whether their family members are also included.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets said that the law will not change the principles; the easing side, which helps people to gain access to work here, touches on companies and employers and the submission of applications, and the remaining side focuses on tightening the requirements and making them more concrete.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets asked the minister how big a problem the proposed amendment to the law is trying to solve and how much abuse of residence permits and visas will actually be reduced by it.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi invites Evelin Poolametsa to perform.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Läänemets said that, although the exact extent of violations is not known, violations related to compliance with wages and working conditions occur, including paying lower wages, overtime, or informal work, which leaves Estonian citizens in a worse position, and, if necessary, he is prepared to provide more precise data on the number of violations.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi invited Riina Solmani onto the stage.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman asked how illegal labor and a lack of language skills in the taxi market threaten safety and fair pay, and whether the state can tighten requirements and increase oversight, not only leaving the responsibility on the shoulders of entrepreneurs.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets said that in Estonia no one may come to work as a Bolt taxi driver solely for that purpose, and the driver must have another legal basis for staying in Estonia; the PPA handles this.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The deputy chairman Toomas Kivimägi presented a brief plea to Rain Epler.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
My question is: how large is the share of Bolt taxi drivers who do not speak Estonian, whether enrollment as a student through universities has become an immigration pump, and to what extent this abuse affects the country, and what kind of overview does the country have of it?
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
The focus of the speech was that statutory control would be introduced for foreign students: universities must ensure the student completes their study program and inform if their main aim is not studying; the student must prove financial self-sufficiency, and the Police and Border Guard Board will monitor both studying and working, while at the same time the Ministry of Education and Research is preparing amendments to the Language Act and questions concerning the use of the Estonian language at work will be resolved under this law.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman, Toomas Kivimägi, invites Henn Põlluaas to speak.
Henn Põlluaas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Henn Põlluaas said that Finland intends to tighten the conditions for permanent residence, extend the length of stay, and strengthen language, work, and income criteria, and asked whether this has been discussed in your ministry or in the government.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets said that in Estonia some fields should have somewhat tougher requirements than in Finland, for example the A2 language requirement and an integration program when obtaining a long-term residence permit, and although these issues have been discussed in the government, there is a draft bill in the works that would specify them.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
At the start of the speech, Arvo Aller is invited onto the stage.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Aller highlights language requirements and adaptation programs within the framework of a temporary residence permit and asks whether the same requirements apply to temporary workers, noting that a temporary worker can, by registering themselves with a company operating in Estonia or in the EEA, work on platforms.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
For seasonal workers, there is neither an expectation nor an imposition of an Estonian language requirement, and they do not stay for the long term, but work and return home.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi invited Priit Sibul to speak.
Priit Sibul
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Priit Sibul asked what exactly the A2 language requirement means, and whether it applies to all temporary residence permits regardless of field of study and income.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets explains that the A2 level description — in which a language user understands sentences and frequently used expressions related to domains important to him or her, such as personal and family life, home, and shopping — is significantly more precise and should apply to everyone.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman, Toomas Kivimägi, invites Lauri Laatsi to speak.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats raised the issue of taxing leased labor, noting that if the leased labor comes from elsewhere and the work is temporary, the taxes do not stay in Estonia, and that to solve this, other laws must be amended, and he asked whether the matter has reached the government and what the possible solutions are.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets said that the number of posted and agency workers has decreased significantly in recent years (94→36→10 for short-term registrations and 361→215→118 for registrations to work under a temporary residence permit), probably due to Ukrainian war refugees, and now the jobs are being filled in Estonia, but tax revenue may not always flow to the Estonian state, and the aim is for these taxes and salaries to stay here.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman, Toomas Kivimägi, asks Anti Poolametsa to take the floor.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets says that although the draft bill includes a language requirement, there is ongoing language loss in Tallinn, and the mass influx of foreign labor and the persistence of taxi drivers lacking Estonian language skills show that the current solution does not work.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Läänemets said that the self-regulation of criminals is not a solution, and that detecting violations during inspections shows that the system is functioning; on platforms there are both managers who speak Estonian and those who do not speak it, and the language issue is not solved by this draft bill, but by amendments to the Language Act of the Ministry of Education and Science, which are currently in progress.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman, Toomas Kivimägi, invited Rene Kokk to speak.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk emphasizes the aim of the draft bill to reduce or, as much as possible, prevent the misuse of residence permits and visas, and asks the minister to present the statistics for the last four years and explain whether this misuse is a rising trend.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Lauri Läänemets said that the focus is on preventive changes, and attention should be paid to places where it is evident that someone could do something that must be stopped.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi invites Arvo Aller to speak.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Arvo Aller draws attention to the fact that temporary agency labor is granted a fixed-term residence permit and there is no language requirement, which enables doing various kinds of work in Estonia, but he asks how to ensure that this loophole is not used for transporting or exploiting people.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Lauri Läänemets stressed that seasonal work is employment within the European Union, and both the employer and the employee are responsible for ensuring that the employee is directed to agriculture and that no other work is performed, and if a person comes from a third country, our laws apply.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Ants Frosch is invited to speak.
Ants Frosch
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Ants Frosch proposed that the Police and Border Guard Board carry out regular, thorough inspections of Bolt taxis at least once every one to two years, in order to obtain a clear picture of the activity and to prevent misuse.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets said that checks on the grounds for staying in Estonia are necessary, and the checks are carried out by the Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) and other authorities, focusing on whether a person may perform certain actions and provide services, and although there are no plans for a crackdown, the state must not be too harsh, because the law must be obeyed.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi asks Kalle Grünthali to come.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal asks the minister why violations of the Language Act are not punished systematically and why full control is not used to ensure the preservation of the Estonian language.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets emphasizes that the preservation of the Estonian language depends on the number of ethnic Estonians and on births and on an aging population, and that for the economy's stability it is necessary to invest in people's skills and education, rather than focus on immigration or open-door policies.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The deputy chairman Toomas Kivimägi asks Kalle Grünthal to present the second question.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal emphasized that for the preservation of the Estonian language, in public places, especially stores, language use must be strongly controlled, and if necessary local Estonians should be paid higher wages, because it has happened that in stores people say: "Speak Russian."
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets said that Estonia must ensure quality store service and language checks, raise wages for those with lower incomes, and implement regional industrial policy to create better jobs in rural areas, while worrying about the impact of inequality and the influence of billionaires on state governance, and emphasizing that the country should be led by justice and democracy, not merely the pursuit of profit.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanked and said that there are no more questions for the minister, and asked Eduard Odinets, a member of the Constitutional Committee, to present the lead committee's decisions and emphases.
Eduard Odinets
AI Summary
Eduard Odinets described the Constitutional Committee's discussion of Draft Bill 548, in which the language proficiency requirements for foreigners and the integration program were examined, the distinction between leased and posted labor, changes to the Residence Permits and Right of Residence Register, and the operation of the border guard at the Narva border checkpoint, and announced that the committee had put the draft on the plenary's agenda for January 28, but there was no consensus on finishing the first reading.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Kivimägi thanks, says that there are no questions, and opens negotiations; On behalf of the Eesti 200 faction, Toomas Uibo speaks.
Toomas Uibo
Profiling Eesti 200 fraktsioonAI Summary
Toomas Uibo said that Estonia must tie the use of migrant labor to economic growth, creating a skilled-labor quota covering up to 0.2% of the resident population (a maximum of about 2,600 people per year), allocated among OSKA analyses, and at the same time streamline bureaucracy, including addressing the IT sector's concerns.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman, Toomas Kivimägi, asked to add three minutes.
Toomas Uibo
Profiling Eesti 200 fraktsioonAI Summary
Estonia 200 does not support unchecked and mass immigration, and it emphasizes that the preservation of culture, language, and nationality is a constitutional value, and it is not a saleable value that can be protected through a strong economy and a developing state, not through regression.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi announced that negotiations had ended, that the lead committee had finished the first reading of Draft No. 548 and had set the deadline for submitting amendment proposals to February 11 at 17:15, thereby concluding the first item on the agenda.