Second reading of the Draft Act amending the Aliens Act (European Union Blue Card) (349 SE)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
Date: 2024-03-14 12:04
Total Speeches: 3
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 2m
AI Summaries: 3/3 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Analysis
Summary
The session began with a debate on the second reading of Draft Act 349 (EU Blue Card), initiated by the Government of the Republic, concerning amendments to the Aliens Act. Hendrik Johannes Terras, Chairman of the Constitutional Committee, presented the committee's positions. Although no amendments were received after the first reading, the Ministry of the Interior proposed supplementing the draft act with two provisions arising from the directive. The main amendment concerned the right of the Blue Card holder to change employers: if the holder has worked for less than 12 months, the member state has the right to require permission from the Unemployment Insurance Fund; for persons who have worked for 12 months or longer, the requirement for permission does not apply. The committee supported this amendment by consensus and proposed concluding the second reading. The second reading of Draft Act 349 was concluded. The next agenda items (Draft Acts 292 and 324, both first readings) remained unaddressed because Jaak Valge, the Riigikogu member assigned as rapporteur, was absent from the hall, leading to the declaration that debate was impossible. The session was concluded.
Decisions Made 2
The second reading of Draft Bill 349, concerning the Act amending the Aliens Act (European Union Blue Card), initiated by the Government of the Republic, was concluded.
The first reading of Bills 292 and 324 was not considered due to the absence of the rapporteur (making debate impossible).
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
The sitting was opened. The first item on the agenda is the second reading of Draft Act 349, the bill amending the Aliens Act, initiated by the Government of the Republic. The Chairman of the Constitutional Committee, Hendrik Johannes Terras, was invited to present the report.
Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
Report: The first reading of the draft legislation concluded on February 14th. No amendments were submitted, and the Ministry of the Interior proposed to the Constitutional Committee to add two points stemming from the EU directive concerning the procedure for requiring a permit from the Unemployment Insurance Fund (Töötukassa) when changing a Blue Card. Specifically, if the Blue Card holder has worked for less than 12 months, the state may request the permit; if 12 months or more, the permit is not required. This means that the position is not checked against (i.e., preference is not given to) an EU or Estonian citizen or a foreigner residing in Estonia. The committee unanimously endorsed the proposal. The sustainability of attracting third-country labor was also discussed, and the completion of the second reading was recommended. Voting result: 4 in favor, 0 against, 1 abstention.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Jüri Ratas thanked the presenter and announced that the second reading of Bill 349 would be concluded, considering the stance of the Constitutional Committee, and that the amendments had been reviewed. The discussion of the second and third agenda items was subsequently rendered impossible due to the absence of Jaak Valge, following which the session ended with words of thanks.