Salaries of Cultural Workers
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 4th sitting, press briefing
Date: 2024-09-25 16:04
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 13
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 11m
AI Summaries: 13/13 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu’s sixth question was addressed to Minister of Culture Heidy Purg and concerned the topic of salaries for cultural workers. The question was posed by Vadim Belobrovtsev, who criticized the government for freezing the salaries of civil servants, including cultural workers, until 2025. Belobrovtsev highlighted the ironic situation where ministers praise the constructiveness of budget negotiations, yet the result is a lack of salary increases. He asked whether the minimum salary (1600 euros) for a cultural worker with a higher education would remain at the 2023 level until the 2027 elections.
Minister Purga responded, emphasizing the government's goal of putting the country’s finances in order, which requires cuts. She noted that the percentage of cuts within the Ministry of Culture’s administration is 4%, and that institution leaders have the opportunity to reprioritize activities to ensure salary dynamics. Purga cited statistics showing that the average gross salary (1850 euros) for cultural workers receiving salaries from the state is nearly 92% of the Estonian average, which corresponds to the goal set in the development plan. She acknowledged the complexity of the situation but confirmed that salary issues will be addressed in the 2026 state budget negotiations. In a clarifying question, Belobrovtsev referred to a demonstration by theater people and pointed out that inflation has been significantly faster than salary increases. The Minister repeated that salaries have not been frozen, but rather that institutions' budgets have been cut, and emphasized the responsibility of institution leaders. In a supplementary question, Helle-Moonika Helme criticized the government's claim of increased purchasing power, asking the minister to define whose purchasing power has increased. Purga responded that raising the minimum wage to the Estonian average salary would require 11.3 million euros per year, and referred to the Bank of Estonia's forecast of a recovery in purchasing power, while also promising that cuts would not be imposed in the field of literature.
Decisions Made 1
Decisions were not made.
Most Active Speaker
Vadim Belobrovtsev (Center Party, opposition) initiated and sharpened the discussion, posing two lengthy and critical questions about the government's pay policy, referencing both messages from other ministries and the demonstration by cultural workers.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
MP Vadim Belobrovtsev is submitting a question regarding the salaries of cultural workers to the Minister of Culture, Heidy Purga.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Vadim Belobrovtsev is criticizing the government for promising to freeze wages next year and leaving the minimum salary for cultural workers with higher education at 1,600 euros, asking whether this level will remain unchanged until 2027.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar makes a request to the minister.
Kultuuriminister Heidy Purga
AI Summary
Minister of Culture Heidy Purga confirmed that due to the reorganization of state finances, the cultural sector will face cuts (to the extent of four percent). However, the wage policy aims to keep the salaries of cultural workers close to the Estonian average, and the goal of the 2020–2030 development plan is to reach 90% of that level.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stresses that it is your time to act.
Kultuuriminister Heidy Purga
AI Summary
We can address salary issues during the state budget negotiations.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks him and asks Vadim Belobrovtsev to pose a clarifying question.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Vadim Belobrovtsev is accusing the government and political parties of freezing the salaries of cultural workers. He points out that over the past six years, their wage growth has only been about 30%, while the average salary and inflation have climbed by roughly 45% and 44%. He references the protest by theatre professionals that took place in front of Stenbock House and asks what cultural workers should be told: should they be satisfied that their wages aren't being cut, or is the future still uncertain?
Kultuuriminister Heidy Purga
AI Summary
Culture Minister Heidy Purga said that the salaries of state-administered foundations will not be frozen, and while 4% cuts have been made, salary issues can be resolved through reprioritization. Cooperation must be established with the heads of institutions and representative organizations, and salary matters will be discussed in greater detail during the 2026 state budget negotiations.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked [the previous speaker] and called upon Helle-Moonika Helme to ask her registered supplementary question.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme is criticizing the rhetoric surrounding the state's economic policy and is asking the minister to specify who this "average person" is in the cultural sector whose purchasing power has increased.
Kultuuriminister Heidy Purga
AI Summary
Minister of Culture Heidy Purga stated that the minimum salary for a cultural worker holding a higher education degree is 840 euros—just one-third of the average wage. Raising this salary to the Estonian national average would require 11.3 million euros annually, an amount equivalent to the yearly budget of three drama theaters. Although the situation in the cultural sector is critical, purchasing power appears to be recovering according to the 2024 economic forecast. Furthermore, literature will be a priority in the next budget period, and there will be no cuts made in that specific field.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar offers his thanks and announces that the consideration of the sixth item will be concluded today.