Agenda Profile: Anti Poolamets
Draft law amending the Aliens Act and, in consequence thereof, amending other laws (to enhance migration procedures) – first reading
2025-01-28
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
Political Position
The political position is strongly critical of the government's migration policy and the implementation of the Aliens Act, particularly concerning the control of posted workers. The primary concern relates to the massive influx of foreign labor, which threatens the status of the Estonian language in the capital. Although the draft legislation contains positive elements (the language requirement), the overall approach is considered ineffective, and the policy is aimed at criticizing the government's inaction.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in the implementation of the Aliens Act and the field of labor leasing, emphasizing the lack of control in the "gray zone." They highlight, as a specific example, the prevailing situation in the taxi industry (Bolt taxi drivers), where language requirements are massively ignored. They also refer to previous raids and the actual situation on the ground.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is sharp, critical, and urgent, using emotional comparisons (a slide back to the 80s) and metaphors ("the elephant in the room," "grey zone"). The speaker presents direct accusations and provocative rhetorical questions ("How about we just let all the thugs police themselves?") to emphasize the Ministry of the Interior's inaction and the delegation of responsibility.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
No data available.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary target is the Ministry of the Interior and the minister, who are being accused of a lack of oversight and failing to resolve the issue. The criticism is intense and centers on political failure, specifically the delegation of control to the companies themselves—a move that saves the ministry money but does not solve the underlying problem. The speaker suggests that the situation has deteriorated under the ministry’s management.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
No data available.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The regional focus is clearly directed at the capital (Tallinn), which is being treated as a crisis hotbed where the position of the Estonian language is under threat due to the massive influx of foreign labor. The speaker provides examples specifically drawn from the capital's taxi industry.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic perspectives emphasize the need for strict state regulation and control in the sector of agency workers and foreign labor, contrasting with corporate self-regulation. Concern is raised by the improper use of labor ("the gray zone") and the lack of state control, which points to a preference for labor regulation and state oversight.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The main social issue is the protection of the Estonian language and cultural space, which is threatened by the uncontrolled massive influx of foreign labor. Migration policy is treated directly as a question of linguistic security, noting that the language is being massively lost in the capital.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is currently on the draft amendment to the Aliens Act (548 SE), a proposal the speaker critically opposes. While acknowledging the positive elements of the bill, such as the language requirement, he deems it insufficient because it fails to address the issues of controlling temporary agency workers and ensuring their language proficiency.
2 Speeches Analyzed