NordenBladet —Today, the Government supported the signing of all the pre-purchase contracts with vaccine manufacturers in the European Union joint procurement. Participation in the EU joint procurements ensures that the vaccines will reach all European Union Member States at the same time and at the same price.
“We are all waiting for a vaccine, in order to put the COVID-19 pandemic behind us. This is why all parties are engaged in the rapid development of vaccines and bringing these to the market,” said Prime Minister Jüri Ratas. “However, no compromises can be made on quality and safety. For this, strict requirements have been established in the European Union, to which the COVID-19 vaccines must also conform. Of course, we are simultaneously making preparations to be ready to commence vaccinating as soon as the vaccines that have received marketing authorisation from the European Medicines Agency reach Estonia.”
According to the Government’s plan, vaccination will be free of charge to all Estonian residents until 2021. From 2022, it will be free of charge to at-risk groups. To procure the vaccines and the equipment necessary for vaccination, it is intended to apply for money from European Union funds, from the ReactEU Fund that is intended to combat the coronavirus crisis.
“As the first priority, Estonia will procure the vaccine to protect at-risk groups,” said the Minister of Social Affairs Tanel Kiik. “The vaccine is also important for workers providing vital services, such as medics or police officers, to ensure the normal operation of society. Since Estonia will be joining all seven of the European Union joint vaccine portfolio contracts, the potential supplied amount of vaccine will surpass the needs of Estonia. This is important to mitigate risks and to ensure the possibility to vaccinate for all Estonian people wishing to do so, in order to reduce the economic and societal effect of COVID-19.”
As the first priority, it is intended to enable vaccination for healthcare and welfare institution workers, welfare institution residents, the elderly, and people with certain intercurrent and chronic illnesses. About 300,000 people belong to the coronavirus at-risk groups in Estonia.
The joint vaccine portfolio covered by the European Commission procurements has selected vaccine candidates that are the most promising and that are based on different already-existing and novel technologies: Astra Zeneca, Sanofi, Jannsen Pharmaceutica NV, Pfizer/BioNTech, Curevac, Moderna, and Novavax.
Currently, no vaccine has obtained marketing authorisation in the European Union. Upon obtaining marketing authorisation, the production and delivery of vaccines involves risks, which is why any given vaccine reaching the market may be delayed. Right now, the characteristics and effectiveness of the vaccines are not definitively known – for example, for how long one vaccine or another may grant immunity, or for which age groups they are best suited.
The main aim of procuring the COVID-19 vaccine and enabling Estonian residents to vaccinate is to protect the most vulnerable groups of people – at-risk groups who are at a higher risk of becoming infected than others, or for whom the illness may turn out to be especially dangerous; to protect workers providing vital services to ensure the normal operation of society; to reduce and prevent deaths caused by COVID-19 and to provide an opportunity for vaccination to those Estonian residents who do not belong to the vaccination target group, but who wish to vaccinate against the coronavirus.
NordenBladet — Members of the Estonian Delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (PA) today participate in the Assembly’s Annual Session, which is held online for the first time. Originally, the Session was due to be held in Athens, Greece.
Head of the Estonian Delegation Oudekki Loone said that the NATO PA had succeeded in digitising its daily work, meetings and discussion of reports with remarkable speed in 2020, and new activities had also been rapidly created.
“It is true that several fact-finding missions were cancelled, but thematic web seminars were held to replace them. The level of reports that are to be adopted is high as usual, we have managed to contribute our valuable input to common defence policy in the NATO PA,” she added.
In Loone’s opinion, virtual instruments can still be only a temporary solution. “The idea of parliamentary assemblies is also to deepen the relations between member states, to create a common discussion space, to enable informal discussions, and it is almost impossible to achieve all this through conference software,” Loone said.
The committees of the Assembly will consider and assess several reports, and present resolutions that will be adopted by the plenary session today. Online meetings of committees were held before today’s plenary sessions.
This year, the focus of the Annual Session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly is on NATO’s adaptation to the threats and the situations caused by them. The emphasis will be on NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg’s NATO2030 reflection process, the main aim of which is strengthening of political dimension. The Assembly will also discuss Russia’s continuing threat to security and the new challenges arising from China. Additionally, greater attention will be paid to the security of the Black Sea, the Balkan and the Gulf Region.
Today’s plenary session starts at 4 p.m. and it will be streamed online.
NordenBladet — At the public video sitting starting at 1.45 p.m. today, the European Union Affairs Committee, the Finance Committee and the State Budget Control Select Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) will be given an overview of the 2019 annual report of the European Court of Auditors, which will be presented by Member of the European Court of Auditors Juhan Parts. European Court of Auditors monitors the implementation of the budget of the European Union and the lawfulness of the use of the funds.
Chair of the European Union Affairs Committee Anneli Ott pointed out that in the next seven years, the EU would contribute a significant amount of financial resources to mitigating the economic and social impacts of the virus crisis. The expanses of the European Union will nearly double in the coming years. “In the light of the adoption of the European Union’s long-term budget and combating the COVID-19 crisis, it is of particular importance that the funds of the Union were used soundly and effectively,” Ott said.
According to the report of the European Court of Auditors, the revenues of the European Union for the previous year were legal and regular, and free from material error. The overall level of error for expenditure from the EU budget of 2019 was 2.7 %, which is slightly larger than the year before (2.6 %).
According to the audit, the situation in the area of natural resources has improved and the results in the area of administrative expenditure are good.
The share of high-risk expenditure in audit population has increased and represents 53 % of it. This mainly concerns reimbursement-based expenditure, for example, in the areas of cohesion and rural development, where the EU expenses are managed by the Member States. High-risk expenditure is often subject to complex rules and eligibility criteria. According to the audit, this category continues to be affected by material error and the estimated level of error is 4.9 % (in 2018, it was 4.5 %). The auditors found that the errors were pervasive, and therefore presented an adverse opinion on the expenditure of the EU.
Public sitting starts at 1.45 p.m. and it will be streamed online.
The video recording of the sitting is available to watch on-demandon the Riigikogu YouTubechannel.
(Please note that the recording will be uploaded with a delay.)
NordenBladet — The video conference of the members of the Finance Committee and the State Budget Control Select Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) with the delegation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) focused on the issues relating to transparency of the state budget.
Deputy Chair of the Finance Committee Maris Lauri said that the IMF delegation was interested in the economic forecasts used as the basis for drafting the state budget, and how such forecasts were taken into account.
The IMF delegation was given an overview of the state budget drafting processes and of following of the rules and taking into account expert opinions, as well as of the transparency and clarity of the state budget.
“At the meeting, we concluded that we can be satisfied with the economic forecasts and predicting the budget revenues, and with reporting,” Lauri said. She added that the greatest problem was with the expenses: the transparency and justification of the state budget revenues was weak, and essentially there was no overview of the current expenses of the state budget in a form that would enable to compare plans with the reality. “Responsible financial management means not only making plans, but also adhering to them and supervising compliance with them in order to make the necessary corrections in time. Only in this way, unexpected and huge deficits can be avoided.”
Member of the Finance Committee Aivar Sõerd said that the long-term draft budgetary plans prepared by the Government lacked the action plan and measures for reducing the budget deficit in exiting the crisis. “These measures should be developed and described by today, but this has not been done. As regards the transparency of the state budget, it is not possible to be satisfied with the current situation. Transition to activity-based budgeting has not increased, but reduced the transparency of the state budget,” Sõerd added.
Chairman of the State Budget Control Select Committee Jürgen Ligi, Deputy Chair of the Finance Committee Maris Lauri and members of the Committee Riina Sikkut, Andres Sutt and Aivar Sõerd Participated in the video conference.
The delegation if the International Monetary Fund discusses the economic policy situation of Estonia at meetings with the representatives of the public and private sector. On the basis of the consultations conducted during the IMF’s annual mission to Estonia, the IMF report assessing Estonia’s economic policies is prepared. The head of the IMF delegation at the video conference was Sage De Clerck.
NordenBladet —At today’s cabinet meeting, members of the government agreed in principle on further restrictions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. It is planned to make it obligatory to wear a mask or cover one’s nose and mouth in public indoor spaces, extend the so-called 2 + 2 rule, reduce the maximum number of participants in public events, etc. Stricter measures will be applied in the epicentres of the coronavirus epidemic – in Harju County and Ida-Viru County. Both the Health Board and the scientists advising the government support the new restrictions.
According to Prime Minister Jüri Ratas, the situation related to the spread of the coronavirus in Estonia is becoming more critical, especially in terms of the functioning of the medical system. “The epidemic spread of the coronavirus in Estonia means that we must introduce stricter restrictions to ensure the continuity of the Estonian health care system and the availability of treatment for everyone, even as the number of COVID-19 patients continues to increase. We have the opportunity to slow down the growth of the infection rate with joint efforts. For this, we must follow the restrictions set by the government and behave reasonably and in a mutually supportive manner,” said Ratas. “All of us must now make every effort so we could spend the Christmas holidays with our loved ones. Let us postpone major holiday events to next year and spend this Christmas in a smaller family circle.”
RESTRICTIONS IN HARJU COUNTY AND IDA VIRU COUNTY
Public events and meetings, culture and entertainment, churches
The 50% occupancy limit will apply to cultural institutions, which means halls with stationary seating, such as theatres, cinemas, concert venues as well as churches, and to public events (including conferences), public meetings, and entertainment activities (excluding children’s playrooms). The obligation to wear a mask or to cover one’s nose and mouth will apply everywhere in these places. A dispersed seating model must be applied in rooms with stationary seating. The maximum number of participants in indoor places with stationary seating is 400; elsewhere else, it is 250. For outdoor events, the maximum number is 500.
Hobby education and activities and indoor refresher training and refresher courses
A group limit of 10 people is set and the people must be dispersed. The obligation to wear a mask or cover one’s nose and mouth will apply to people over 12 years of age. The principle of reasonableness must be followed.
Indoor sports activities
Group training can be performed in groups of 10 people. For example, this applies to indoor fitness classes and other similar training activities. The restriction does not apply to professional and semi-professional sports under the auspices of sports governing bodies, including youth sports and extracurricular sports activities.
Public transport
During peak hours, more buses will be added to the schedule, and masks must be worn or one’s nose and mouth must be covered.
Upper secondary schools
Central organisation of distance learning in Harju and Ida-Viru counties, for which the Health Board will issue a corresponding order to local governments; the Ministry of Education and Research will issue the order to state educational institutions.
RESTRICTIONS THROUGHOUT ESTONIA
Obligation to wear a mask or to cover one’s nose and mouth in public indoor spaces
Obligation to wear a mask or cover one’s nose and mouth indoors, including on public transport and at service points, during hobby education and activities, as well as refresher training and refresher courses.
People for whom it is medically contraindicated, as well as children under the age of 12, do not need to cover their nose and mouth or wear a mask if sufficient distance is ensured and in other justified cases. The government is developing a plan to provide masks for disadvantaged people.
The 2 + 2 rule extends to public indoor spaces
The so-called 2 + 2 rule must be followed everywhere in public indoor spaces, which means that two people can move together but keep a distance of two metres from other people. This applies, for example, in bank branches, hairdressing and beauty salons, and elsewhere.
The current 10 + 2 rule will continue to apply in catering establishments and places where entertainment services are provided. The rule means that a group may include up to 10 people, but they have to keep a distance of two metres from others. These restrictions do not apply to families.
Public events and meetings, culture and entertainment, churches
The maximum number of participants in public events will be reduced. Up to 400 people can take part in an indoors public event with stationary seating, otherwise, up to 250 people are allowed. For outdoor events, the maximum number of participants is 500.
Work organisation
The strict recommendation to telework, if possible, remains valid.
NordenBladet — The Riigikogu concluded the second reading of the Bill on the coming year’s state budget (254 SE) and sent it to the third reading. The deadline for submission of motions to amend is 30 November.
Under the State Budget for 2021 Bill (254 SE), initiated by the Government, the expenditure of the next year’s state budget will amount to nearly 13 billion euro and the revenue will amount to nearly 11 billion euro. The gap is due to necessary investments in the restoration of economic growth, due to which the amount of expenditure will exceed the revenue growth. According to the main scenario of the forecast of the Ministry of Finance, Estonia’s GDP will shrink by 5.5 per cent this year and will grow by 4.5 per cent next year, falling short of the level of the end of 2019 by about one per cent at the end of 2021.
The next year’s state budget is based on ordinary rules and takes account of the exceptions due to the crisis. Next year, the government sector budget is projected at a nominal deficit of 6.7 per cent of GDP and a structural deficit of 6.6 per cent.
The volume of the investments planned by the government sector will amount to approximately 1.9 billion euro next year. More than 1.4 billion euro of EU support is planned in the state budget for 2021.
Tax revenue will increase to 9.3 billion euro next year compared to the approximately nine billion euro this year. Tax burden will fall to 32.7 per cent of GDP next year compared to the 33.8 per cent this year.
Of the 44 motions to amend submitted at the second reading, a consolidated motion submitted by the Finance Committee was supported. On the deciding on the remaining motions, they had not been supported at the voting in the committee because the financial sources proposed to cover them had been unacceptable, as they would have changed the achievement of the objectives set out in the budget.
Chairman of the Finance Committee Aivar Kokk said that, during the preparation for the second reading, the budget had been specified in view of the implementation of the plans in the Government’s action programme. In connection with the need to support the continuation of international maritime transport through Estonian ports and to motivate consignors to direct their trade flows through Estonian ports, the Finance Committee had proposed that the ships entering Estonian ports be exempted from the payment of fairway dues to the extent of 50 per cent until the end of next year and that the loss of revenue be compensated in the state budget. Funds had also been allocated for holding a referendum.
25 members of the Riigikogu took the floor in the debate. They analysed the content of the draft state budget and presented their positions. Jürgen Ligi (Reform Party), Kalle Laanet (Reform Party), Aivar Sõerd (Reform Party), Liina Kersna (Reform Party), Andres Sutt (Reform Party), Mart Võrklaev (Reform Party), Heidy Purga (Reform Party), Annely Akkermann (Reform Party), Vilja Toomast (Reform Party), Riina Sikkut (Social Democratic Party), Jaak Juske (Social Democratic Party), Siim Kallas (Reform Party), Johannes Kert (Reform Party), Oudekki Loone (Centre Party), Kersti Sarapuu (Centre Party), Helmen Kütt (Social Democratic Party), Leo Kunnas (Estonian Conservative People’s Party), Mart Helme (Estonian Conservative People’s Party), Sven Sester (Isamaa), Maris Lauri (Reform Party), Valdo Randpere (Reform Party), Jevgeni Ossinovski (Social Democratic Party), Peeter Ernits (Estonian Conservative People’s Party), Indrek Saar (Social Democratic Party) and Henn Põlluaas (Estonian Conservative People’s Party) took the floor.
The Estonian Reform Party Faction and the Social Democratic Party Faction moved to suspend the second reading of the Bill. The result of voting: 41 votes in favour and 54 against. The motion was not supported. The second reading of the Bill was concluded.
Two other Bills passed the second reading
The Bill on Amendments to the Tourism Act and the Consumer Protection Act (234 SE), initiated by the Government, will update the requirements for the provision of the accommodation service. The requirements that are not directly necessary or in which self-regulation works well, like in the case of quality requirements, are reduced. The definition of the accommodation service and the description of the types of accommodation establishments will be renewed. As a result of the amendments, the rules for the provision of the accommodation service will become more flexible, and the number of claims and the costs to meet the requirements will decrease.
The offering of temporary sleeping accommodation by an undertaking will be deemed to be accommodation service. Accommodation service is a tourist service which is not for residential purposes but which is intended for temporary accommodation of visitors for holiday or business or other purposes and which is offered for example by day, week or month. The introduction of the short-term (temporary) service will help differentiate the accommodation service more clearly from residential lease contracts. In the case of accommodation for a period longer than three months, the special rules for residential lease contracts already set out in the Law of Obligations Act apply.
Another major amendment is that the issues relating to the categories of accommodation establishments will remain for the sector to be arranged. In the future, in order to assign categories (stars of hotels) to accommodation establishments, it will not be necessary to apply for the approval of the minister, and the accommodation sector will be able to continue quality development without state restrictions.
New digital solutions and the changed expectations of clients are phasing out the need for separate reception rooms (“table service”) and several other services, and therefore other requirements of the Regulation of the Minister will be reduced as well. No special rules are established for the sharing economy, but the principle is that requirements apply uniformly to all undertakings.
The establishments providing accommodation will also be able to register their guests electronically and the obligation to preserve visitor’s cards in paper format will be abolished.
Under the Bill on Amendments to the Government of the Republic Act and Other Acts (merger of the Civil Aviation Administration, the Road Administration and the Maritime Administration) (236 SE), initiated by the Government, the civil aviation, road and maritime administrations will be merged. According to the Bill, the name of the new merged administration will be the Transport Administration. The merger of the authorities proceeds from a general principle of the state reform to reduce the number and duplication of administrative agencies and to improve the quality and availability of public services.
The new administration is intended to establish a centre of excellence covering different types of transport that will have the capability to plan smart mobility solutions and to implement projects covering different types of transport. With the merger, the position of the deputy secretary general for maritime affairs will be established in the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications.
During the debate, Kristen Michal (Reform Party), Kalvi Kõva (Social Democratic Party), Sven Sester (Isamaa), Kalev Kallo (Centre Party) and Tarmo Kruusimäe (Isamaa) took the floor.
The Estonian Reform Party Faction and the Social Democratic Party Faction moved to suspend the second reading of the Bill. The result of voting: 33 votes in favour and 53 against. The motion was not supported. The second reading of the Bill was concluded.
A Bill was rejected in the Riigikogu:
The Bill on Amendments to the Social Tax Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Act (244 SE), initiated by the SE), initiated by the Social Democratic Party Faction, provided that the employee would be paid sickness benefit for the first eight days of his or her sick leave in the cooperation of the state and the employer, so that the Estonian Health Insurance Fund would compensate for 40 per cent of the average wages of the person who falls ill and the employer would compensate for the remaining 40 per cent. From then on, starting from the ninth day, the Estonian Health Insurance Fund would bear the costs as per current regulation. The explanatory memorandum to the Bill points out that the compensation of the days of sick leave on the first eight days would help ensure that persons who fall ill or come into contact with an infection do not go to work but stay home.
During the debate, Signe Riisalo (Reform Party), Jevgeni Ossinovski (Social Democratic Party) and Mart Helme (Estonian Conservative People’s Party) took the floor.
The Social Affairs Committee moved to reject the Bill at the first reading. The result of voting: 51 votes in favour and 26 against. The Bill was dropped from the proceedings.
The new Minister of the Interior Alar Laneman took his oath of office before the Riigikogu.
NordenBladet — At the cabinet meeting, the Government approved the extension of the regulation governing sickness benefits starting from the second day of illness, and Minister of Social Affairs Tanel Kiik will submit a proposal to Parliament, on behalf of the Government, to initiate the corresponding amendments to the law. The regulation is temporary and is planned to remain in force from 1 January – 30 April 2021.
Pursuant to the draft that was approved by the Government, it shall be specified that the employee deductible for the compensation of sick days shall be reduced to one day instead of the previous three days. In addition, the responsibility of employers to pay sickness benefits will change, with employers now being responsible for reimbursing employees for 70 per cent of the employee’s average salary between the second and fifth days of illness. At the same time, the liability of the Estonian Health Insurance Fund will increase, henceforth being responsible for compensating the costs of sickness benefits starting from the sixth day of illness.
Prime Minister Jüri Ratas stated that the spread of the coronavirus in Estonia is epidemic in nature and that the state, employees and employers must each do everything possible to make the impact of the virus on human health and the Estonian economy less devastating. ‘The coronavirus is no longer spreading through clusters of outbreaks in Estonia, having instead taken on the form of a fully-fledged epidemic, with infection being possible everywhere. Which is why a common effort by everyone is critical. The Government is expanding the regulation of sickness benefits so that employees can stay at home even when experiencing only mild symptoms of illnesses, without fear of a loss of income for the first few days of the illness. This regulation is essential in order to keep our economic circulation going even during the conditions of the coronavirus epidemic.’
The compensation of sick days from the second day onwards helps to maintain workers’ incomes in the event of illness, reduces the risk of people who are ill going to work, and thus limits the spread of COVID-19.
‘We now see that the focal points of infections are often workplaces. Moving up the compensation period for sick days allows people to stay at home at the onset of the first symptoms, without experiencing a significant loss in their income as a result’, said Minister of Social Affairs Tanel Kiik. ‘In order to limit the spread of the disease, it is important that the amendment allows compensation to be paid to close contacts of infected people under the same conditions’.
The new regulation is planned to apply to compensation for incapacity for work issued from 1 January through 30 April 2020.
NordenBladet — The Bill on amendments to the State Pension Insurance Act and other acts passed the second reading in the Riigikogu. The purpose of the Bill is to decrease poverty among the elderly and to raise their subsistence and welfare.
According to the Bill (253 SE), initiated by the Government, the base amount of the national first pillar pension will be increased by additional 16 euro on 1 April 2021. The pension rise will concern around 320,000 people. The pension supplement for rearing children will also be increased. This will concern around 203,000 people. For example, a pensioner who has two children will receive a pension supplement of 7.104 euro. The Bill will increase the rate of national pension by 30 euro. This will concern slightly more than 3000 people.
In the course of the second reading, several amendments were made to the Bill. For example, the periods that would be used as the bases for the calculation of the insurance part and the combined part of the sum of the insurance components were defined. Equal bases were provided for for the calculation of the old-age pension of the old-age pensioners with respect to whom there are no data on individually registered social tax due to employment abroad. When a person assumes employment in Estonia, his or her old-age pension should be recalculated and it may decrease. In the future, the payment of old-age pension will be continued in the current amount in such cases. An amendment was also made according to which the Social Insurance Board will be able to supplement the pension calculator with the data of the second pension pillar to which it has no access under the current law. According to an amendment, in the future a person will receive more information on his or her data entered in his or her pension account and the data relating thereto.
During the debate, Aivar Kokk (Isamaa), Helmen Kütt (Social Democratic Party) and Keit Pentus-Rosimannus (Reform Party) took the floor.
The Riigikogu passed two Acts
The Act on the Ratification of the Agreement on the Amendment and Termination of the Agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Sweden and the Government of the Republic of Estonia on the Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investments (240 SE), initiated by the Government.
The Act provides for the ratification of the agreement on the amendment and termination of the agreement between the Estonian and Swedish Governments on the promotion and reciprocal protection of investments, which will be concluded by exchanging notes after the adoption of the Act on ratification in the Riigikogu.
The agreement between Estonia and Sweden was signed in Stockholm on 31 March 1992 and it entered into force on 20 May 1992. With its note of 27 February this year, Sweden proposed to Estonia to amend the agreement and to terminate it. The Agreement must be amended before it is terminated, because it provides that, in respect of investments made during the time that it is in force, the Agreement remains in force for twenty years after the termination of the Agreement. Termination of the agreement is necessary in order to ensure that investors from all EU Member States are accorded equal treatment based on European Union legislation.
90 members of the Riigikogu voted for the passing of the Act.
The Act on the Ratification of the Agreement for the Termination of Bilateral Investment Treaties between the Member States of the European Union (218 SE), initiated by the Government.
The purpose of the Agreement for the termination of bilateral investment treaties between the EU Member States is to terminate the intra-EU bilateral investment treaties in a coordinated manner. There are approximately 300 bilateral investment treaties in force between EU Member States. When the treaties concluded, their aim was to promote investments by offering mutual guarantees against political risks that may have a negative impact on investments.
After the accession to the EU, the Member States no longer need such additional guarantees because similar EU single market rules, including ones concerning cross-border investments, apply in regard to all Member States. According to the case law of the European Court of Justice, the possibility of access to arbitral tribunals as provided in the treaties is not in conformity with EU law.
The agreement terminates eight of the twelve intra-EU investment protection treaties Estonia has concluded. They are with Spain, the Netherlands, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, France, Germany and the Belgium–Luxembourg Economic Union.
The treaties with Finland and Sweden will be terminated bilaterally. Austria has also announced that it wishes to conclude the bilateral agreements on termination with the Member States with whom Austria has investment protection treaties in force. It is not definitely clear yet what will become of the agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Estonian Government for the Promotion and Protection of Investments. This will become clear in the process of the UK exiting the EU.
88 members of the Riigikogu voted for the passing of the Act.
Three other Bills passed the second reading
The Bill on Amendments to § 28 the Citizenship Act (217 SE), initiated by the Government, will amend the Act by including commission of serious criminal offences against the state as a new ground for deprivation of citizenship. Section 28 of the Act will be amended by adding a new subsection under which the Government may deprive a person of Estonian citizenship if a judgment of conviction in treason, intelligence activities or terrorist offence has entered into force with regard to him or her.
Under the Bill on Amendments to the Organic Farming Act and the Plant Propagation and Plant Variety Rights Act (260 SE), initiated by the Government, in the future, the holdings of the persons who sell unpacked organic products to the final consumer in small quantities, for example small organic shops, will no longer need to have the recognition currently required of them. In the future, it will be sufficient if they inform the Agricultural and Food Board, which will be established on the basis of the Agricultural Board and the Veterinary and Food Board, of their activities.
The exemption will be granted to operators that sell unpacked organic products to the final consumer, provided that they do not produce, prepare, store other than in connection with the point of sale, or import such products from a third country, or subcontract such activities to another operator. The sale of unpacked organic products must not exceed 5 000 kg per year; such sales must not represent an annual turnover in relation to unpacked organic products exceeding EUR 20 000; or the potential certification cost of the operator exceeds 2 % of the total turnover on unpacked organic products sold by that operator. In order to prevent fraudulent use of the indications referring to organic farming, the bases for the repeal of decisions on recognition will be changed and the fine for selling non-organic products as organic products will be increased.
The Bill will bring the Act into conformity with the European Union organic farming Regulation to be applied from 1 January 2022 which aims to eliminate the obstacles to the development of organic farming in the EU, to ensure fair competition to farmers and operators, to increase consumers’ trust in organic products and to bring legislation into conformity with the Lisbon Treaty. According to the explanatory memorandum, the result should be simpler provisions, more effective procedures and products that are reliable for the consumer.
The purpose of the Bill on Amendments to the Feed Act (225 SE), initiated by the Government, is to bring the Feed Act into conformity with the European Union Regulation establishing a list of intended uses of feed intended for particular nutritional purposes and the modes of use necessary to achieve them applicable as of 25 December. The provisions of the Bill and the provisions of the current Act do not differ in terms of content. The amendments are of a technical nature – references to the directly applicable Regulation will be included. The amendments will involve no new obligations for feed business operators or supervisory officials.
Two Bills passed the first reading
The Bill on Amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Other Acts (257 SE), initiated by the Government, will define at the level of Act the aim of the working environment database, the data collected and the retention periods of data on the basis of the Personal Data Protection Act. The Bill provides for a new requirement for the employer to draw up a risk assessment of the working environment in the working environment database or to forward the risk analysis to the Labour Inspectorate in a format which can be reproduced in writing.
The Bill will also include into the scope of application of the Act service providers, such as persons working under an authorisation agreement or a contract for services to whom certain provisions of the Act are applied. In addition, the Bill sets out an obligation for the employer to investigate occupational accidents that occur with service providers. The Bill will increase the employer’s liability for violation of the requirements established for the parties of an employment relationship.
The purpose of the Bill is to facilitate the creation of a safe working environment and to reduce the administrative burden for employers in complying with occupational health and safety requirements. For this, the working environment database will be developed, facilitating the communication of agencies and businesses with the state and offering new services. The Bill will increase the extent of the liability of the employer and the employee in the working environment.
The purpose of the Bill on Amendments to the Local Government Financial Management Act (282 SE), initiated by the Finance Committee, is to enable local governments to increase their net debt burden, in order that, in the emergency situation due to the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and in the period following it, local governments could take larger loans as necessary to stimulate economy and make investments in the circumstances of a slowdown of revenue growth in 2020–2027, without breaching the upper limit for net debt burden provided for by law. In ordinary circumstances, the upper limit for net debt burden for each local government is a sixfold value of its operating result or 60 per cent of its operating revenue. At present, the upper limit for net debt burden has been set at the tenfold value of operating result or 80 per cent of operating revenue as an exceptional case for 2020 and 2021. The Bill will extend the exemption for the upper limit for net debt burden until the end of 2024. From then on, the upper limit will gradually decrease in 2025–2028.
Lauri Läänemets (Social Democratic Party) took the floor during the debate.
Due to the end of the working hours of the sitting, the Bill on Amendments to the Social Tax Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Act (244 SE), initiated by the Social Democratic Party Faction, will be deliberated at tomorrow’s plenary sitting.
The Bill provides that the employee will be paid sickness benefit to the extent of 80 per cent for the first eight days of his or her sick leave in the cooperation of the state and the employer, so that the Estonian Health Insurance Fund will compensate for 40 per cent of the average wages of the person who falls ill and the employer will compensate for the remaining 40 per cent. Starting from the ninth day, according to the Bill, the Estonian Health Insurance Fund will bear the costs as per current regulation. The explanatory memorandum justifies that the compensation of the days of sick leave on the first eight days will help ensure that persons who fall ill or come into contact with an infection do not go to work but stay home.
The sitting ended at 1.53 p.m.
Members of the press,
In view of the COVID-19 virus disease outbreak, the Chancellery of the Riigikogu is taking the necessary precautionary measures. Members of the press are asked to wear face masks and maintain social distance from interviewees where possible when visiting Toompea Castle.
NordenBladet —Today, the Government decided to extend the nationwide restriction on the night-time sale of alcohol until 26 January 2021 (incl.).
The restriction means that from 00:00 until 10:00, alcohol sales are prohibited in all locations that sell alcohol for on-site consumption, such as restaurants, bars, nightclubs.
The restriction on the sale of alcohol is not applicable aboard aircraft used for international passenger transport, in the security area of an international airport, and in a point of sale located after the check-in gates at the waiting area of an international port’s travel terminal. The restriction is also not applicable to using minibars and during breakfast for guests staying the night at accommodation establishments.
The further restrictions are necessary since the spread of the coronavirus is of an epidemic nature in Estonia, and one could get infected anywhere. According to Health Board data from 17 November, 186 people tested positive for the coronavirus over a 24 hour period, and the infection rate per 100,000 inhabitants over the past 14 days is 218. For comparison, the same indicator was 43 on 14 October, 22.8 on 12 September, and 4 on 1 August.
In establishing the national restriction on the sale of alcohol, the Government is guided by the supporting position of both the Health Board and the scientific advisory board which consults the Government.
Pursuant to the Alcohol Act, owners of mass media are required to immediately publish the content of the order. The Government Communication Unit will send an official notification concerning this.
The order will also be published in the State Gazette and on the kriis.ee website.
NordenBladet — The Riigikogu approved its agenda for this working week, which includes 13 items.
No deliberation of Bills or replies to interpellations have been scheduled for Monday’s sitting.
At Tuesday’s sitting, six Bills will be at the second reading. They are the following: the Bill on the Ratification of the Agreement on the Amendment and Termination of the Agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Sweden and the Government of the Republic of Estonia on the Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investments (240 SE); the Bill on the Ratification of the Agreement for the Termination of Bilateral Investment Treaties between the Member States of the European Union (218 SE); the Bill on Amendments to the State Pension Insurance Act (253 SE); the Bill on Amendments to § 28 the Citizenship Act (217 SE); the Bill on Amendments to the Organic Farming Act and the Plant Propagation and Plant Variety Rights Act (260 SE); and the Bill on Amendments to the Feed Act (225 SE).
Three Bills will be at the first reading. They are the following: the Bill on Amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Other Acts (257 SE); the Bill on Amendments to the Local Government Financial Management Act (282 SE); and the Bill on Amendments to the Social Tax Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Act (244 SE).
At the sitting on Wednesday, three Bills will be at the second reading. They are the following: the State Budget for 2021 Bill (254 SE); the Bill on Amendments to the Tourism Act and the Consumer Protection Act (234 SE); and the Bill on Amendments to the Government of the Republic Act and Other Acts (merger of the Civil Aviation Administration, the Road Administration and the Maritime Administration) (236 SE).
At Thursday’s sitting, the matter of significant national importance “New generation of teachers and valuing of teacher’s profession as a mainstay of the sustainability of the state of Estonia” will be deliberated. Aadu Must, Chairman of the Cultural Affairs Committee; Madis Somelar, Chairman of the Board of the Estonian History and Civics Teachers Association, coordinator of the network of subject teachers, and teacher, class teacher and Director of Studies at Tallinn Secondary School of Science; Professor Margus Pedaste, Head of Pedagogicum at the University of Tartu; and Mailis Reps, Minister of Education and Research, will make reports.
The new Minister of the Environment Rain Epler took his oath of office before the Riigikogu.
During the open microphone, Jaak Juske,Kalle Grünthal and Peeter Ernits took the floor.