Agenda Profile: Heljo Pikhof
Third Reading of the Draft Act (338 SE) on Amendments to the Estonian Cultural Endowment Act and the Gambling Tax Act
2024-03-20
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary sitting
Political Position
The political position is strongly focused on supporting social justice and culture, emphasizing the need to guarantee social security and fair remuneration for creative professionals. They support a legislative amendment that would make the Cultural Endowment (Kultuurkapital) system more flexible when financing nationally important cultural structures (e.g., the new ERR building). This approach is clearly policy- and value-driven, stressing that maintaining a state has no deeper meaning without its own language and culture. The Social Democrats firmly support the draft legislation.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates a thorough understanding of the Cultural Endowment's funding schemes and the complex issues surrounding social security for creative professionals, clearly distinguishing between a scholarship, a creative work grant, and creative work remuneration. This expertise is substantiated by referencing the 2021 study by the Praxis Think Tank, "The Livelihood and Social Guarantees of Freelance Creative Individuals." Technical terms like the contract for services, social tax, and unemployment insurance premium are utilized, with the speaker explaining their impact on net income.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is informative, analytical, and moderately optimistic, focusing on the detailed explanation of the legal amendments and the emphasis on positive outcomes. The appeal is primarily logical and fact-based (referencing studies and the distribution of taxes), but it is supported by an emotional emphasis on the importance of culture and creative professionals. The tone is formal and explanatory, with the aim of convincing the audience of the usefulness of the legislative change.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is an active legislator who was involved in initiating the bill last autumn and refers to numerous previous meetings and studies on the topic. As a future action, approval is expected from the government for the "rolling health insurance," which broadly concerns people with irregular incomes.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
There is no direct confrontation; the speaker focuses on addressing systemic problems (the lack of social security/guarantees) and does not directly criticize any political opponent. It is emphasized that the changes will not result in reduced incomes or a drop in the number of people receiving support.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The style of cooperation is consensual and systemic, emphasizing the need for unified support from the Minister of Culture, the Riigikogu Culture Committee, and the Council of the Cultural Endowment for financing the ERR building. The Riigikogu Culture Committee played a crucial role in initiating the draft bill, which demonstrates cooperation at the committee level.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is on national cultural objects (the new ERR building) and nationwide social guarantees for creative professionals in Estonia. There is no regional or local focus; the topics addressed are of national importance.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The economic perspective advocates for social redistribution, utilizing revenue generated from the gambling tax and increased alcohol and tobacco excise duties to finance social security provisions for creative professionals. It is stressed that the net income of creative individuals must not fall, demonstrating a commitment to protecting labor interests and ensuring social security coverage for those with irregular earnings.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The main social issue is the lack of social guarantees (health insurance, pension, unemployment insurance) for freelance creative professionals, which is considered unfair. The speaker strongly supports closing this gap by establishing a system of creative remuneration. Furthermore, there is also support for the future creation of "rolling health insurance" for a wider group of people with irregular incomes.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on the adoption of the Act amending the Estonian Cultural Endowment Act and the Gambling Tax Act (338 SE). The aim is to replace the tax-exempt creative work allowance with creative work remuneration to ensure social security, and to introduce flexibility in the financing of national cultural buildings. The speaker is a strong supporter and initiator of the draft bill.
2 Speeches Analyzed