Additional inflow of qualified labor

Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, press briefing

Date: 2025-03-26 15:47

Participating Politicians:

Total Speeches: 7

Membership: 15

Agenda Duration: 8m

AI Summaries: 7/7 Speeches (100.0%)

Analysis: Structured Analysis

Politicians Speaking Time

Politicians

Analysis

Summary

9. The question concerns the additional importation of qualified labor and cooperation with education and industry needs regarding coalition agreements. The debate focuses on the idea that Estonia must develop its skills base while simultaneously allowing the inclusion of highly qualified labor to increase added value, economic growth, and the general standard of living. Discussions have touched upon the possibility of exception mechanisms and the importation of cheap labor, but it is emphasized that the goal is not mass immigration or cheap labor, but rather the inclusion of skilled labor and the implementation of conclusions based on the OSKA report, directed towards skills. Emphasis is placed on cooperation with government colleagues and other socio-political partners, and a commitment to developing education and vocational training in line with the needs of the economy.

Decisions Made 1
Collective Decision

No decisions were made during the information session regarding the further import of qualified labor and the precise wording of related exemptions. Further discussions and specific solutions will continue in subsequent meetings.

Most Active Speaker
Priit Sibul
Priit Sibul

Isamaa fraktsioon

The most active speaker was GdeZmpb9biU, who represents a right-leaning impetus within the coalition, viewed in the context of the Ministry of Modern Affairs and Industry. He presented the concept of skilled labour and emphasized that the goal is not an influx of cheap labour, but rather the involvement of specialists with higher added value, and strengthening the role of cooperation between OSKA and the Chamber of Crafts. His position is central within the right-wing or centre-line government spectrum, and he conceptualizes policy from the perspective of economic growth and the development of national prosperity.

Esimees Lauri Hussar
15:47:05
AI Summary

Riigikogu member Priit Sibul poses the ninth question to Prime Minister Kristen Michal on the topic of the additional intake of qualified labor.

15:47:13
AI Summary

Priit Sibul criticizes the coalition agreement's plan to streamline the import of foreign labor and the inclusion of cheap labor, and asks in which sectors and how much cheaper labor is planned to be brought in, emphasizing that industry is shrinking and that simplification will not significantly alter the economic landscape.

Peaminister Kristen Michal
15:49:16
AI Summary

Prime Minister Kristen Michal has confirmed that the growth of Estonia's economy and industry will begin with a skilled workforce, which is promoted based on the OSKA report and education system reforms, and, if necessary, higher value-added specialists will be brought in, not cheap labor, while the new government lowers taxes on businesses and individuals.

Esimees Lauri Hussar
15:52:11
AI Summary

The chair thanks and asks Priit Sibul to pose a clarifying question.

15:52:14
AI Summary

Priit Sibul asks the question how large the labor quota (0.1) is and what exemptions are allowed, what exactly these exemptions mean, and whether the coalition partners share a unified understanding, and how workers who arrived by the deadline will leave Estonia, what the rules are and how they are monitored.

Peaminister Kristen Michal
15:53:18
AI Summary

Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that Estonia is very efficient in matters of departure and repatriation, and the OSKA report and the broad-based debate show what kind of workforce will be needed in the future, emphasizing that the government will maintain a conservative line, provide people with good skills and education, and, if necessary, direct the labor force to sectors with higher added value, rather than in favor of mass immigration.

Esimees Lauri Hussar
15:55:23
AI Summary

Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked the prime minister and his colleagues for a substantive discussion, noting that the information briefing is limited, and informed that at the Riigikogu plenary session starting at 2 p.m., there will be a discussion on amending the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia.