Inquiry regarding the government's plans to increase immigration (no. 791)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, plenary session
Date: 2025-09-08 22:07
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 85
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 1h 7m
AI Summaries: 85/85 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu debated the interpellation submitted by Riina Sikkut, Tanel Kiik, and other Social Democrats regarding the government's plans to increase immigration. The questioners expressed concern about the decline in Estonian economic productivity, record youth unemployment, and integration issues, asking how increasing immigration would help solve these problems, especially considering the development of artificial intelligence. Riina Sikkut (SDE) emphasized the need for quantitative data regarding the Estonian society's absorption capacity and migration statistics.
Minister of Economic Affairs and Industry Erkki Keldo (Reform Party) responded that the government's priority is bringing in qualified specialists, not low-wage labor. He confirmed that the immigration quota (0.1% of the population) will remain unchanged, but exceptions for skilled workers based on the OSKA report are necessary to realize the growth potential of the manufacturing industry. The Minister assessed the Estonian society's absorption capacity as good, highlighting improved integration indicators and public support for receiving Ukrainian war refugees. He stressed that the government's primary focus is on raising the skills and qualifications of the local workforce, including 45,000 registered workers. The debate also raised the question of Nordic immigration experiences and the transfer of Swedish prisoners to Tartu Prison, which the Minister considered beneficial cooperation between allies. Jaak Valge (EKRE) sharply criticized mass immigration, arguing that it is unconstitutional, hinders wage growth, and has led to a decline in productivity. Reili Rand (SDE) asked for clarification regarding the easing of wage criteria in the exception for skilled workers.
Decisions Made 1
Decisions were not made
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
We proceeded with the sixth interpellation, which concerns the government’s plans regarding the increase of immigration. This query was submitted on June 5, 2025, by Riigikogu members Riina Sikkut, Tanel Kiik, Reili Rand, Lauri Läänemets, Helmen Kütt, Andre Hanimägi, Jaak Aab, and Anti Allas. Riina Sikkut was requested to serve as the rapporteur.
Riina Sikkut
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Riina Sikkut is once again raising the question of increasing immigration, noting that the labor market remains tight despite record youth unemployment and the impact of AI on jobs. She is demanding clarity from the government on how they plan to improve Estonia's stagnant productivity, resolve the issues surrounding the ineffective integration of foreign workers—which threatens Estonian-language services—and utilize educational migration more strategically to bring specialists with the necessary skills and proficiency in Estonian into the workforce.
Riina Sikkut
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Riina Sikkut emphasized that the discussion on increasing immigration must include four topics—improving productivity, integration, the potential of educational mobility, and issues concerning temporary labor—and asked the government for clear substantive direction on these plans, considering the impact of AI and the need to strengthen Estonian-language services and language learning opportunities.
Riina Sikkut
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Riina Sikkut is raising the issue of increasing immigration, stressing that the government’s plans must account for the labor shortage, the negative birth rate, and the impact of artificial intelligence development on the job market. She is demanding clarification on how they intend to address the decline in Estonian productivity compared to the European Union average, how they plan to improve the integration of foreign workers and their Estonian language skills in service provision, and whether targeted educational migration is the preferred route for securing specialists with the required skills.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The speech emphasizes that it is your time.
Riina Sikkut
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Riina Sikkut expects substantive answers and a good discussion from the minister.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller called upon Erkki Keldo, the Minister of Economic Affairs and Industry, to respond to the interpellation.
Majandus- ja tööstusminister Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
During his presentation, Minister of Economic Affairs and Industry Erkki Keldo stated that Estonia has a good capacity for receiving foreign labor, but continuous efforts must be made regarding integration and the development of language and digital skills. This is necessary to fill higher value-added positions and reduce the demand for low-wage workers. According to OSKA data, there is a need to address a shortage of approximately 700 skilled workers, requiring close cooperation with allies, employers, and local training programs. Furthermore, utilizing learning mobility and integrating refugees from Ukraine are crucial components of Estonia's economic development.
Majandus- ja tööstusminister Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
Minister of Economic Affairs and Industry Erkki Keldo provided a comprehensive overview of Estonia’s foreign labor policy, stressing that the country’s priority is attracting highly qualified specialists to boost economic productivity, rather than low-wage workers. He affirmed that society’s capacity to receive immigrants is generally good, though there is room for improvement in integration services (language and digital skills). He also highlighted statistics indicating that family migration remains low, the majority of foreign workers are from Ukraine, and Estonian employment is successfully shifting toward sectors with higher added value, thus addressing concerns related to economic growth and productivity.
Majandus- ja tööstusminister Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure Erkki Keldo explained that Estonian society's capacity to accept foreign workers is generally good, but emphasized the need to develop integration programs and digital skills. He confirmed that the state's strategic goal is to bring in skilled workers with high added value, not unskilled laborers, relying on OSKA studies to support this. He refuted fears regarding the prioritization of low-wage labor and extensive family migration, while simultaneously stressing the importance of retraining and learning mobility for the local workforce.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Vice-Chairman offered his thanks, opened the floor for questions, and then invited Vladimir Arkhipov to speak.
Vladimir Arhipov
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Vladimir Arhipov reported that the labor quotas for immigrants have increased from 1,300 to 4,000.
Majandus- ja tööstusminister Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
Erkki Keldo is inviting people to ask questions and promises to answer.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Vladimir Arhipov argues that, excluding students and temporary workers, a significant number of people are unemployed, and we should invest in training them rather than importing foreign labor, because among the 40,000 to 50,000 unemployed, there are 3,000 to 4,000 individuals who are both skilled and willing to work.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Vladimir Arhipov criticizes the importation of foreign labor, which he argues carries the risk of social tensions, and asks whether it wouldn't be more sensible to invest instead in training the tens of thousands of currently unemployed people in order to find the necessary workforce locally.
Majandus- ja tööstusminister Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
Erkki Keldo said that there are 45,000 registered unemployed people and the 0.1% quota will not be changed. However, based on the OSKA-based exception, skilled workers are allowed from outside the labor force (this is not mandatory), and the main focus is on increasing the qualifications of the existing workforce in cooperation with employers and labor market stakeholders.
Majandus- ja tööstusminister Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
Minister of Economic Affairs and Industry Erkki Keldo clarified the discrepancies in the unemployment figures and confirmed that the immigration quota (0.1%) that has been in effect since the 90s will not be altered. However, to address the challenges facing the economy, an exception will be established based on the OSKA report to bring in skilled workers. This measure is intended to support industrial growth and exports. He stressed that this will not come at the expense of local unemployed individuals, whose upskilling and retraining, in cooperation with employers, remains the primary priority.
Majandus- ja tööstusminister Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
Minister of Economic Affairs and Industry Erkki Keldo confirmed that the 0.1% immigration quota will remain in effect, but the government will create exceptions for importing skilled labor, based on the OSKA report, in order to alleviate the labor shortage in the industrial sector and ensure economic growth. He simultaneously stressed the priority of improving the skills of the local unemployed, noting that businesses always prefer to hire local people.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller invited Andre Hanimägi to speak.
Andre Hanimägi
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Andre Hanimägi stressed the need for a cautious approach to the skilled labor issue, given the context of low birth rates and integration challenges. He then asked why Estonia currently has over 20 exceptions for importing labor from third countries, why the European Union is included in these exceptions, and whether the alternative of either increasing or highlighting these exceptions is being considered.
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Andre Hanimägi stresses the necessity of caution regarding migration, pointing to low birth rates and integration issues. He further questions the minister as to why the existing framework of over 20 exceptions (including EU citizens and top specialists) is insufficient to address the skilled labor shortage, suggesting instead that the current exceptions be better promoted and utilized, rather than simply increasing the quota.
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Andre Hanimägi stresses the necessity of caution in migration policy, taking into account the low birth rate and difficulties with integration. He then asks the minister why the existing 20-plus exceptions (including EU citizens and top specialists) are insufficient to mitigate the skilled labor shortage. As an alternative, he proposes better promotion and utilization of these existing exceptions instead of importing labor from third countries.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
This message says that now is your time.
Majandus- ja tööstusminister Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
Minister of Economic Affairs and Industry Erkki Keldo justifies the necessity of the skilled worker exception for the industrial sector. He notes that while previous exceptions for ICT professionals and researchers have proven successful, Estonia’s primary exporter—the industrial sector, which provides higher-paying jobs in rural areas—requires a similarly strong impetus to secure the necessary specialists. This is because domestic measures (such as vocational education reform) are insufficient on their own to ensure the realization of the industry's growth potential and the subsequent increase in national prosperity.
Majandus- ja tööstusminister Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
Minister of Economic Affairs and Industry Erkki Keldo said that although 22 exceptions have been made to alleviate the sector's concerns, and the exceptions for ICT specialists and researchers do not help the industry, the government wants to give the industry the same boost as the IT sector. This is because the shortage of skilled workers is hindering growth and exports. Furthermore, through the reform of vocational education and the exception for skilled workers, the goal is to achieve higher value-added jobs and economic growth.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller calls upon Jaak Valge to speak.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge presented clarifications regarding residence permits and family migration, noting that family migration constitutes a large share and that top specialists make up about 20% of the foreign workforce, and asked why the government's priority concerning top specialists has not been realized and what is planned to be done to achieve this.
Majandus- ja tööstusminister Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
The Minister of Economic Affairs and Industry, Erkki Keldo, focused on methods for attracting top specialists to Estonia, stressing that this necessitates restructuring the economy toward higher added value. Achieving this, he noted, is critically dependent on supporting research-intensive development and innovation within our domestic companies. Furthermore, he discussed the different tiers of work and residence permits and the compromises involved, underscoring the necessity of always maintaining a fact-based and statistical approach.
Majandus- ja tööstusminister Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
The Minister of Economic Affairs and Industry, Erkki Keldo, explained that attracting top specialists and building an economy with higher added value requires state support for innovation and research-intensive development work within companies. He emphasized that the Ministry of Economic Affairs is directing public funds toward increasing the number of R&D workers in the private sector, while also noting that different categories of employees (such as skilled workers versus seasonal workers) are subject to different work and residence permit conditions, which always necessitate fact-based statistical analysis.
Majandus- ja tööstusminister Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
To achieve an economy with higher added value and competitive exports, we must attract more top specialists to the country, boost innovation and R&D activities, and continuously monitor the statistics regarding exceptions for work and residence permits, as well as the inclusion of families.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
This is merely a request to invite Peeter Ernits to speak.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits highlights the contradiction between Estonia's long-term immigration quota (0.1% of the population) and the current situation, where a significantly larger number (an estimated 4%) of Ukrainians are residing in the country, asking the government whether they plan to officially raise the limit on integration capacity or remain at the current 0.1%, finding alternative solutions in a situation where it has previously been stated that the state is unable to integrate more people.
Peeter Ernits
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Peeter Ernits asks whether the government plans to raise the immigration quota from 0.1% to 4% or keep it the same, considering that approximately 35,000 people have arrived from Ukraine and Estonian society is no longer able to integrate a larger number of immigrants.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits highlights the contradiction between Estonia's long-term immigration limit (0.1% of the population, which signifies the maximum integration capacity) and the current situation, where a significantly larger number of new immigrants (about 4%) are residing in the country. He asks the government whether there are plans to officially raise the immigration quota or how the integration problem is intended to be solved, given that it has previously been asserted that the country cannot integrate any more people.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The speech emphasizes that it is your time.
Majandus- ja tööstusminister Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
The government does not intend to change the quota, which makes up 0.1% of the Estonian population. Ukrainian war refugees continue to hold the status of war refugees in Estonia, and their visas or residence permits are renewed annually, while integration has been very positive.
Majandus- ja tööstusminister Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
Minister of Economic Affairs and Industry Erkki Keldo confirmed that the government has no plans to change the 0.1% immigration quota, and emphasized that Ukrainians who fled Russian aggression are in Estonia on temporary residence permits, the extension of which is reviewed annually. He highlighted their very positive integration into Estonian society and the economy, thanks to the support provided by both the state and local communities.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller invites Reili Rand to the podium.
Reili Rand
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Reili Rand is asking why the government is considering dropping the requirement for 1.5 times the average salary, and whether, in order to boost productivity, the title of the position or the higher wage requirement is more important, and why they are prepared to abandon that specific higher salary requirement.
Majandus- ja tööstusminister Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
The report highlighted the labor shortage in the manufacturing industry. While the OSKA report-based exception for skilled workers allows the recruitment of highly paid specialists from third countries, the permanent solution requires a shift towards higher value-added production, ensuring that bench operators, machine specialists, and welders receive wages and employment conditions appropriate for the local labor market.
Majandus- ja tööstusminister Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
Minister of Economic Affairs and Industry Erkki Keldo explains that a misunderstanding has arisen between two exceptions concerning the importation of labor: the requirement for top specialists to be paid 1.5 times the Estonian average wage, and the skilled worker exception based on the OSKA report. This latter exception is critically necessary in the manufacturing sector (for example, for machine operators) because companies cannot afford to pay them the very high salaries designated for top specialists. However, the presence of these skilled workers is essential for the sustainability of regional industries and local jobs.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller invites Raimond Kaljulaid to come forward and speak.
Raimond Kaljulaid
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Raimond Kaljulaid calls for an assessment of the Nordic countries' long-term experience with extensive immigration, which began with labor shortage arguments identical to those currently being used in Estonia. He emphasizes that although economic circles promised benefits, this has, in the case of Sweden for example, resulted in a considerable socio-economic cost, from which Estonia should learn.
Raimond Kaljulaid
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Raimond Kaljulaid reflects on the Nordic countries' long-term experience with immigration, questioning whether they would approach things differently now and what lessons Estonia might draw from their experiences. He emphasizes that while immigration, implemented to ease labor shortages, has yielded economic benefits, it is simultaneously incurring significant socio-economic costs in Sweden.
Raimond Kaljulaid
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Raimond Kaljulaid points out that the Nordic countries once permitted extensive immigration to alleviate labor shortages, using precisely the same economic arguments that are currently being heard in Estonia. He then asks whether Estonia should learn from the considerable socio-economic costs revealed by the Swedish example, and whether those countries would, in retrospect, make their decisions differently.
Majandus- ja tööstusminister Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
In short, labor migration must be a controlled process where the foreigner must have an employer, a valid employment contract, and security authority vetting. They must depart upon the expiration of the contract or the termination of the employment relationship, and the PPA (Police and Border Guard Board) will ensure this is executed swiftly. Furthermore, every instance of migration must be critically reviewed, and those arriving must respect our language, culture, and norms.
Majandus- ja tööstusminister Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
Minister of Economic Affairs and Industry Erkki Keldo explains that controlled labor migration is fundamentally different from other types of migration, emphasizing that skilled workers coming to Estonia must undergo strict security screening, hold a valid employment contract, and leave immediately upon its termination, adding that all immigrants must respect the Estonian language and culture.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Deputy Speaker asks to give the floor to Anti Allas.
Anti Allas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Anti Allas asks the esteemed Minister how much foreign labor has arrived in Estonia over the last ten years, how many of them have remained, how many have completed language training, and which sectors currently require them.
Majandus- ja tööstusminister Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
The Minister of Economic Affairs and Industry, Erkki Keldo, provided an overview of the integration situation, noting, based on 2023 data, that 58% of residents speaking other languages feel well integrated, and active proficiency in the Estonian language has grown significantly over the last 15 years. He pointed out that an estimated 50,900 people with temporary residence permits are employed in Estonia. The majority of these are Ukrainians who arrived after 2022 and have helped meet the needs of the labor market. However, he simultaneously stressed the necessity of working more intensively with the 45,000 local unemployed, improving their skills and qualifications, because although employers would primarily prefer to hire local people, suitable candidates are currently scarce.
Majandus- ja tööstusminister Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
Minister of Economic Affairs and Industry Erkki Keldo highlighted that integration in Estonia has improved: 58% of non-Estonian speaking residents feel well integrated, and 46% of them have active Estonian language proficiency. However, there is a large proportion of Ukrainian labor in the workforce (approximately 50,900 workers with temporary residence permits, over 85% of whom have come from Ukraine since 2022–2023). Simultaneously, 45,000 unemployed people need assistance in developing general and digital skills, and new strategic goals must be set for the Unemployment Insurance Fund (Töötukassa).
Majandus- ja tööstusminister Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
Minister of Economic Affairs and Industry Erkki Keldo provided an overview of the state of integration, noting that according to 2023 data, 58% of residents speaking other languages feel well integrated. He added that active proficiency in the Estonian language has significantly improved over the years, a trend supported by the transition to unified Estonian-language education. He also pointed out that approximately 50,900 people with temporary residence permits are employed in Estonia, the majority of whom are Ukrainians who arrived after 2022 and have helped meet the needs of the labor market. Finally, the speaker stressed the necessity of improving the skills and qualifications of 45,000 unemployed Estonians to ease the labor shortage, since employers would primarily prefer local workers, but those with the necessary skills are in short supply.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller invites Züleyxa Izmailova to the stage.
Züleyxa Izmailova
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Züleyxa Izmailova expresses concern that Estonia's youth unemployment rate exceeds 25%, placing the country at the top of the European rankings. She accuses the government of primarily attempting to alleviate this situation by increasing foreign labor quotas and boosting immigration. Izmailova calls for concrete steps to employ the local workforce, including young people, and insists that youth employment opportunities must be improved before any increase in foreign labor is implemented.
Züleyxa Izmailova
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Züleyxa Izmailova highlights the alarmingly high Estonian youth unemployment rate (over 25%), criticizing the government’s plan to alleviate the labor shortage by increasing the inflow of foreign labor, and demands concrete steps for employing the local workforce, especially youth, before opening the doors to lower-wage foreign labor.
Majandus- ja tööstusminister Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
Minister of Economic Affairs and Industry Erkki Keldo is addressing the deepening problem of youth unemployment, which has become particularly acute in the service sector and in the post-COVID era. He emphasizes that while the registered rate has doubled, the underlying concern is very real. As potential solutions, he points to more proactive measures from the Unemployment Insurance Fund (Töötukassa) aimed at securing first work experience, simplifying the regulations surrounding the hiring of young people, and crucially, implementing a personalized approach for NEET youth (those who are neither in education, employment, nor training) via local government counselors. He adds that, in the long term, reforming vocational education is critical to boosting young people's competitiveness in the labor market.
Majandus- ja tööstusminister Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
In his presentation, the Minister of Economic Affairs and Industry, Erkki Keldo, stressed that youth unemployment is higher than the general rate and worsened during the COVID period. He emphasized the need to simultaneously improve short-term labor market access—through flexible working arrangements, obtaining initial work experience, and counseling NEET youth via local municipalities—and boost long-term vocational education. This is because both measures drive economic growth and should not be pitted against one another.
Majandus- ja tööstusminister Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
The Minister of Economic Affairs and Industry, Erkki Keldo, addressed the worsening issue of youth unemployment, stemming from the service sector closures during the COVID pandemic. He outlined measures, including more flexible working arrangements, simplifying the process of hiring young people, and implementing a personalized approach to NEET youth via local municipalities. Simultaneously, he stressed the critical role of vocational education reform as a long-term solution to ensure young people have a more competitive standing in the labor market.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller presents a request to Madis Kallas.
Madis Kallas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Madis Kallas debated the effect of foreign labor in Estonia, pointing out both positive and problematic examples. He then questioned how vocational and university education interact with this issue, and whether they serve as partners or competitors in resolving the foreign workforce challenge.
Majandus- ja tööstusminister Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
Minister of Economic Affairs and Industry Erkki Keldo confirms that those coming to Estonia must follow the country’s rules and laws, while simultaneously emphasizing that the exception for skilled workers is a carefully analyzed measure (based on OSKA reports). The goal of this measure is to alleviate labor shortages, prevent economic growth from stalling, and support corporate investments, which in turn creates new and better-paid jobs for Estonians as well.
Majandus- ja tööstusminister Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
The skilled worker exception aims to provide companies with temporary labor force relief. This initiative is based on the OSKA report and extensive collaboration between employers, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, trade unions, and the Ministry of Education and Economic Affairs, with the goal of fostering economic growth without compromising the employment prospects of Estonians.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller calls upon Riina Sikkut.
Riina Sikkut
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Riina Sikkut is submitting questions to the minister regarding specific figures concerning the reception of foreign labor in Estonia—namely, the annual number of skilled workers, the addition of family members, and the numbers of those who have stayed here and left over the course of ten years—and she asks why there is reluctance to increase the quota and what the current government's plan is for increasing the quota compared to previous schemes.
Riina Sikkut
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Riina Sikkut challenges the minister’s positive assessment of Estonia’s capacity to accept foreign workers, deeming it inadequate, and urgently demands specific numerical data regarding the number of skilled workers and their retention in the country, while also requesting an explanation for why the government has abandoned its earlier plan to triple the immigration quota.
Riina Sikkut
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Riina Sikkut challenged the minister's positive assessment of Estonian society's ability to absorb foreign workers, deeming the capacity insufficient. She repeatedly requested specific numerical data concerning both skilled immigrant workers and their family members. Furthermore, she sought clarification on why the government had abandoned the plan, introduced just a year ago, to triple the immigration quota.
Majandus- ja tööstusminister Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
Minister of Economic Affairs and Industry Erkki Keldo emphasized the importance of clear communication, asserting that he had never intended to increase the 0.1% quota, but rather that the issue pertains to the exception for skilled workers. He justified his assessment that Estonian society's capacity for acceptance is "good" by citing data from the 2023 integration monitoring survey, which demonstrates clear progress in the integration and language proficiency of non-Estonian speaking residents.
Majandus- ja tööstusminister Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
In his presentation, Keldo stressed that the 0.1% quota remains the correct foundation, and he stated that he does not believe the quota should be raised. He responded to the question with a simple "good," explaining that according to the 2023 integration monitoring, 58% of non-native speakers feel well integrated, and 46% possess active Estonian language proficiency (compared to 20% in 2008), which indicates an improvement in integration.
Majandus- ja tööstusminister Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
Minister of Economic Affairs and Industry Erkki Keldo stressed that his focus has always been on maintaining the 0.1% immigration quota and the exception for skilled workers, rather than increasing the quota. He also assessed the Estonian society's capacity to accept foreign workers as "good," citing the positive results of the 2023 integration monitoring, which showed that more than half of non-Estonian-speaking residents feel well integrated and active proficiency in the Estonian language has significantly improved compared to previous periods.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chair Arvo Aller offers his thanks, confirms that there are no further questions, and passes the matter to the session chair, Riina Sikkut.
Riina Sikkut
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
On the occasion of International Literacy Day, Riina Sikkut raised the question of assessing the capacity to accept foreign workers, demanding a clear numerical value from the minister to replace the previous quota of 1,300 people, or 0.1% of the population, stressing that the response must not be qualitative, but quantitative.
Riina Sikkut
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Riina Sikkut emphasized the celebration of International Literacy Day, noting that the quota for accepting foreign workers was based on a quantitative indicator of 0.1% of the permanent population, or 1,300 people, and if that number is no longer valid, the minister must present a new numerical value; she wished her colleagues a happy Literacy Day.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller offered his thanks, opened the debate, and then invited Riina Sikkut, the presenter of the query, to speak first.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller thanked the participants, concluded the procedural debate, opened the discussion, and gave the floor first to Riina Sikkut on behalf of the submitters of the query.
Riina Sikkut
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Riina Sikkut criticizes the government's immigration policy, arguing that although the official quota is not being raised, skilled workers are being allowed into the country at three times the quota limit. This approach fails to solve the issues of high immigration, integration, or productivity, especially since sector-specific wage criteria were abandoned. She also questions why the necessary 700 specialists cannot be retrained from the existing 65,000 unemployed people. As a long-term solution, she proposes educational migration, which would ensure that people entering the country contribute to the Estonian labor market and possess language skills.
Riina Sikkut
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Riina Sikkut criticizes the government's approach to involving foreign labor, emphasizing that increasing the quota will not solve the problems and that better integration is needed to boost productivity. As a long-term solution, she proposes study migration combined with the involvement of foreign students, alongside labor market retraining, in order to meet the need for 700 skilled workers next year.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Vice-Chairman gives his thanks and announces Jaak Valge as the next speaker, and the speaker requests three minutes of additional time.
Jaak Valge
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Jaak Valge sharply criticizes the government's immigration policy, arguing that it encourages mass immigration due to the low wage criterion (set at 1.0 times the average salary). He claims the policy is harmful because it undermines the nation-state and the constitution (citing the decline in Estonian language proficiency and failed integration), reduces the country's economic productivity and competitiveness, and suppresses the wage levels of Estonians. He emphasizes that Estonia needs fewer jobs, but rather those that offer higher added value.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge sharply criticizes the government’s plan to relax the wage criteria for foreign workers, arguing that mass immigration is detrimental for three reasons: it contradicts the principles of the nation-state, as integration fails and proficiency in the state language declines; it diminishes the economy’s productivity and competitiveness, running counter to the need to create jobs with higher added value; and it suppresses local wage levels. The speaker stresses that the government lacks the mandate to implement a policy that causes irreversible changes in the demographic composition of the population.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge stresses that mass immigration is detrimental and runs counter to the interests of the state and the constitution, hinders linguistic integration, and results in a drop in wages and productivity, necessitating a fundamental change in migration policy.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The address expresses gratitude, and Peeter Ernits is invited to speak.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits voiced concerns regarding the inconsistencies within Estonia's labor and immigration policies. He cited both high domestic unemployment and Europe's record inflation, alongside the fact that the official 0.1% integration threshold had been exceeded many times over due to the intake of Ukrainian war refugees. He questioned whether Estonian society is truly capable of integrating such a large number of people, stressing that the state's main objective must remain the preservation of the Estonian language and culture, as mandated by the constitution.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits sharply criticizes Estonia's migration policy, highlighting a paradox: against a backdrop of high unemployment and Europe's record inflation, the country's official integration capacity (0.1% of the population) is being exceeded many times over, particularly due to the reception of nearly 50,000 Ukrainian war refugees. He argues that this "funny dance" is dangerous, as it threatens the constitutional objective of the Estonian state—the preservation of the Estonian language and culture—and calls for an honest and comprehensive debate.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits emphasizes that Estonia is grappling with employment problems and high inflation, the integration of Ukrainian people is complicated, and the 0.1% threshold does not meet actual needs. Therefore, a comprehensive and long-term discussion is required, focusing on the preservation of the Estonian language and culture and effective integration.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller announced that there were no requests to speak, and since the minister had no desire (to participate) and was not present, the discussions were closed, and we have concluded the sixth item of the interpellation.