Paper: Minister Increased Quota of 'Biznis' Residence Permits Against Advice
Minister of the Interior Ken-Marti Vaher increased the quota of residence permits for foreigners doing business in the country this autumn based on a proposal by fellow IRL member, Economic Affairs Minister Juhan Parts, Eesti Päevaleht reported.
The Cabinet decided at its September 29 sitting to increase the maximum number of residence permits by 336, to a total of 1,344. Vaher was responsible for coordinating the details of the increase. Most of the 336 extra permits were originally planned for foreign skilled workers and specialists Estonian employers have been clamoring for.
A far fewer number were for foreigners with business interests or a legal income in Estonia - categories that officials considered vulnerable to abuse.
Despite being warned by ministry officials ten days earlier in a memo that the ministry believed numerous applications for permits for business did not have legitimate reasons, Vaher approved the request from Parts on October 15.
Instead of the 110 residence permits originally to be allocated for business, Vaher approved the quota as 170.
Parts told Eesti Päevaleht that the change likely stemmed from requests and concern from business people and employers. "I must honestly say that my role was likely only in signing these matters, I can't speak to the details from memory."
It has not been alleged or proved that the three people - two MPs and one official - involved in arranging residence permits benefited directly from the extra 60 permits allocated, or precisely on what level the decision was made.
Kristopher Rikken