Local villagers oppose expansion of immigrant center
Residents of Vao village, Lääne-Viru County, have made a public appeal against the expansion of the center for asylum seekers next to the village.
The locals, numbering 92, have said they are against increasing immigrant numbers above the current 70 living in the center.
They have also petitioned for more information about the center and have asked to be able to participate in the debate and decision-making-process.
The villagers have also asked for free English-language lessons for themselves, so as to better communicate with the immigrants and teach them about Estonian customs.
The people staying in Vao, mostly from Ukraine and Sudan, receive free accommodation and health care, and 90 euros per month for the first family member, less for the next. Free Internet is also available, as are voluntary Estonian-language lessons.
Editor: J.M. Laats