Session Profile: Tanel Kiik
15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, information briefing
2025-04-09
Political Position
The text criticizes the government's amendments to the Employment Contracts Act, arguing that they undermine workers' sense of security. It accuses the government of failing to engage in dialogue and demands the immediate restoration of tripartite negotiations involving trade unions, employers, and the state.
Topic Expertise
It reveals a deep understanding of the Employment Contracts Act and the field of involving labor market stakeholders, criticizing the government's unilateral approach. It also demonstrates an understanding of the tradition of tripartite negotiations and the diminishing role of trade unions, citing specific examples from the minister's experience.
Rhetorical Style
The speaker employs a direct and critical tone, combining emotional and logical arguments. The rhetoric is formal yet sharp, utilizing concrete examples and personal experience ("I myself once applied for a job"). The speaker stresses the necessity of avoiding demagoguery and demands fact-based answers, using rhetorical questions to undermine the opponent's position.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
Three questions regarding the Employment Contracts Act and the organization of work of the Riigikogu. A critical stance on the government's labor policy.
Opposition Stance
The speaker adopts a clearly oppositional stance toward the government, criticizing the Prime Minister for demagoguery and accusing the cabinet of ignoring social partners in the labor market. The critique is both policy-based (specifically the draft Employment Contracts Act) and procedural (misuse of the information hour/Q&A session). The speaker demands that the Speaker of the Riigikogu intervene regarding the conduct of government members during the information hour, stressing the opposition's limited ability to pose questions.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
It provides a constructive alternative to the amendments to the Employment Contracts Act in the form of tripartite negotiations. It calls for the restoration of social dialogue.
Regional Focus
He/She addressed the amendments to the Employment Contracts Act, focusing on the nationwide impact on employees. He/She criticized the government's inability to engage in dialogue with labor market stakeholders.
Economic Views
He/She addressed the amendments to the Employment Contracts Act, criticizing the government's inability to engage in dialogue with the social partners. Furthermore, he/she voiced support for the tradition of tripartite negotiations.
Social Issues
It focuses on issues of labor law and employment relations, criticizing the government's proposed amendments to the Employment Contracts Act. It emphasizes that occasional employment contracts reduce workers' job security and social guarantees. Strong opposition is voiced against the government implementing significant changes without reaching an agreement with the labor market partners.
Legislative Focus
The speaker focuses on two core legislative issues: the draft Employment Contracts Act, which he sharply criticizes for eroding workers' rights, and the Tallinn Hospital project, which he actively supports. On the matter of the employment contract law, he is clearly opposed, highlighting the resistance from trade unions and professional associations. Regarding the healthcare reform, he acts as the initiator, presenting a concrete proposal for establishing a unified hospital featuring two medical campuses.
4 Speeches Analyzed