The Estonian government has approved a proposal that allows foreign skilled workers to come to the country under easier rules, especially for foreign specialists needed in certain sectors.
In a press conference, the Estonian PM, Kristen Michal, said that this decision follows reports of gaps in certain fields, which will hopefully be filled by foreign talent, Schengen.News reports.
Certainly, EKRE and its transfers in parliament are afraid that seven million people will come to Estonia, but I urge the public to discuss the needs of the economy. If the media is interested and able, they could introduce the OSKA report to the public.
The OSKA report that PM Michal is referring to previously revealed that Estonia is in serious need of foreign workers in order to fill in market gaps and for the growth of the industrial sector, as the population demographics in the country are changing.
Estonia Expects Shortages of 700 Skilled Workers Every Year Over the Next Decade
Due to an aging population, the Estonian economy is expected to be challenged in the next years, with shortages of about 1,400 top specialists and 700 skilled workers every year.
According to Igor Taro, the Estonian Interior Minister, there are nine areas that are dealing with the greatest shortage of skilled workers, and the government has picked these to tackle the issue of labour shortages.
The maximum number of residence permits that can be issued with an exception in areas with a labor shortage is approximately 1,300 permits; in conditions of economic growth, if the economy grows by at least two per cent of GDP, the number of permits would increase to 2,600.
As it is, Estonia struggled to fill the immigration quota set for 2024with the authorities revealing that the numbers for temporary residence permits set for the year remained unfilled, around 300 short of the estimated numbers.
Estonia Stands Firm on Background Checks for Incoming Labor
Despite the serious need for foreign workers, the Estonian government wants to be careful about who to allow entry into the country, as the Interior Minister previously highlighted.
According to Taro, institutions have to be prepared to carry out serious and reliable background checks of those who come to work in Estonia.
According to my firm belief, no one should come to Estonia whose background and intentions, or skills suitable for the job are not known and clear to us. This is a matter of internal security and the stability of society. It is also our responsibility to the rest of Europe, because an Estonian visa and residence permit open up the whole of Europe to the newcomer.
The Estonian government is not only strict for newcomers but also for those who have been in the country for a longer period of time, such is the case for citizenship applicants. Previously, the Estonian government discussed banning foreigners with criminal records from obtaining citizenship – a move that has been widely considered and even implemented by many European countries in recent years.