Migration policy
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th session, information briefing
Date: 2025-06-18 15:15
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 10
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 12m
AI Summaries: 10/10 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu discussed migration policy, focusing on the government's plan to increase the quota for labor immigration from third countries. The intention is to increase the exemption for certain skilled workers up to 4,000, and the exemption will apply to specific salary criteria and local mitigation measures to control the impact on regions and connectivity. At the same time, it is emphasized that this is a temporary and economically viable solution aimed at addressing the fundamental issue—the shortage of high-level skills—and will contribute to economic growth. Mention was made of integration and social inclusion, as well as cooperation with various ministries to mitigate the risks.
Decisions Made 1
Decisions were not made.
Most Active Speaker
Vladimir Arhipov was an active questioner, posing both the original question and a substantive clarifying question that cast doubt on the government's priorities in the context of unemployment and the importation of foreign labor (further).
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman announces that today's second question concerns migration policy, and it will be put forward by Riigikogu member Vladimir Arhipov to the Minister of the Interior, Igor Taro.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The presentation addressed the proposed increase in the third-country immigration quota from 1,300 to 4,000, and questioned how the Ministry of the Interior will ensure that this growth does not create social tensions in regions where residents already feel pressure on jobs, housing, and public services.
Siseminister Igor Taro
AI Summary
The government seeks to support economic growth by expanding the quota for the skilled worker exception in certain professions according to the economic situation, and by adding a salary criterion and accompanying measures to ensure integration and mitigate risks, in cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior and other ministries.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar gave thanks and said that Vladimir Arhipov had finally responded. He added that Arhipov would first be asked a clarifying question, and then Jaak Valge would pose an additional question.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Vladimir Arhipov criticizes the government’s plan to increase the labor quota for immigrants from third countries, citing the 8.6% unemployment rate and the presence of approximately 60,000 active job seekers. He emphasizes that investment must be made in the retraining and employment of the local workforce, and that importing temporary foreign labor would only be a limited solution.
Siseminister Igor Taro
AI Summary
Against the backdrop of demographic concerns and structural unemployment, the government established a temporary exception based on the OSKA list, aiming to align people's skills with the needs of employers and simultaneously increase human competence through vocational education and research, emphasizing that the added value outweighs the salary paid and that the measure is time-bound.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanked them and announced that the supplementary question would be put by his colleague, Jaak Valge.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge asks whether expansion is really necessary, referring to Urmas Varblane's message that we need fewer, but smarter jobs with higher added value, and that unrestricted access to labor and expansive development diminish productivity, competitiveness, and the standard of living.
Siseminister Igor Taro
AI Summary
Interior Minister Igor Taro stated that economic development requires cooperation with entrepreneurs and solving the skilled labor shortage through various means. He stressed that every skilled worker generates twice as much added value for the economy as their salary, and that prioritizing cheap labor is not the direction we should be taking.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
He thanks everyone and announces that he is concluding the discussion of today's second question.