Third Reading of the Draft Act on the Protection of Whistleblowers Reporting Workplace Violations of European Union Law (257 SE)

Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session

Date: 2024-05-15 17:41

Total Speeches: 10

Membership: 15

Agenda Duration: 25m

AI Summaries: 10/10 Speeches (100.0%)

Analysis: Structured Analysis

Politicians Speaking Time

Politicians

Analysis

Summary

The Riigikogu debated, on the third reading, Bill 257 initiated by the Government of the Republic concerning the protection of whistleblowers reporting violations of European Union law in the workplace. During the debate, both supporters and opponents of the bill voiced their positions. The coalition parties (Eesti 200 and the Social Democratic Party) supported the adoption of the bill, emphasizing the critical importance of protecting whistleblowers, which helps prevent major catastrophes and economic losses (citing, for example, the Bhopal and Cambridge Analytica incidents). Liisa-Ly Pakosta (Eesti 200) stressed that the bill narrowly transposes the EU directive, in line with Estonia's earlier preferences, thereby avoiding excessive administrative burden for smaller organizations. Eduard Odinets (SDE) viewed the law as opening a new chapter in labor relations, offering employees protection against retaliation. Opposition parties (Isamaa and the Centre Party) voted against the bill. Helir-Valdor Seeder (Isamaa) highlighted Estonia's historical sensitivity regarding the culture of informing/snitching and criticized the bill for increasing bureaucracy for both businesses and local governments. Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart (Centre Party) criticized the bill as yet another example of the "mindless copying" of a directive, which creates administrative burden but fails to offer real protection in many crucial areas (e.g., reporting corruption), because the scope of regulation is too narrow and specific. Despite the opposition's resistance, the bill was moved to a final vote and adopted as law.

Decisions Made 1
Collective Decision

Draft Bill 257, initiated by the Government of the Republic, concerning the protection of whistleblowers reporting violations of European Union law in the workplace, was adopted as an Act. Fifty-two members of the Riigikogu voted in favor, 24 voted against, and 1 member abstained.

Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
17:41:56
AI Summary

Toomas Kivimägi announced the third item on the agenda, opened the debate on the third reading of Draft Act 257 on the Protection of Persons Reporting Breaches of Union Law in the Workplace, initiated by the Government of the Republic, and Liisa-Ly Pakosta, on behalf of the Eesti 200 faction, requested three minutes of additional time.

Liisa-Ly Pakosta
17:42:20
AI Summary

The report emphasizes that whistleblower protection is crucial, and Eesti 200 supported the European Union directive during the final vote on October 7, 2019. Estonia is transposing it narrowly, as desired, without broadening its scope. Furthermore, should there be any other issues related to whistleblower protection, they must be resolved through a drafting intent document and a broad-based discussion.

Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
17:48:43
AI Summary

Eduard Odinets represents the Social Democratic faction and requests the floor.

Eduard Odinets
17:48:51
AI Summary

Eduard Odinets stressed that the main message of the bill is ensuring the protection of whistleblowers, guaranteeing confidentiality, establishing employer accountability, and creating clear reporting channels, all of which will improve labor relations and Estonia’s work culture.

Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
17:52:31
AI Summary

The speech expresses profound thanks, and Helir-Valdor Seeder is speaking on behalf of the Isamaa faction.

17:52:42
AI Summary

Helir-Valdor Seeder said that expanding the scope of reporting under the draft bill is historically painful and morally dangerous, increases bureaucracy, and burdens businesses and local governments, and therefore, Isamaa will vote against it.

Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
17:57:02
AI Summary

The Deputy Speaker thanked the assembly and announced that Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart, on behalf of the Estonian Centre Party Faction, requested three additional minutes.

17:57:15
AI Summary

Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart asserts that the whistleblower protection bill merely copies the European Union directive, generates administrative burden and extra costs, fails to offer genuine protection, and promotes a culture of denunciation. She further states that the three bills taken as a whole do not resolve the substantive problems and place a particular strain on small businesses and local governments, which is why the Center Party faction will not be supporting the legislation.

Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
18:04:45
AI Summary

Toomas Kivimägi declared the discussions closed and put Draft Act 257, initiated by the Government of the Republic, concerning the protection of persons reporting breaches of European Union law in the workplace, to the final vote, asking his colleagues to take a position and vote.

Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
18:07:52
AI Summary

Toomas Kivimägi announced that Bill 257 was passed into law: 52 votes in favor, 24 against, and 1 abstention.