Session Profile: Riina Sikkut
Fifteenth Riigikogu, Fifth Session, Plenary Session.
2025-04-15
Political Position
The political position is strongly value-based, focusing on the protection of workers and income stability, while opposing the government's planned amendments to the Employment Contracts Act. The need to improve the state's data policy is also emphasized, in order to utilize collected registry data for better decision-making. The speaker criticizes the government's handling of human rights and professional competence issues, citing the Pihlakodu case as an example.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in the field of labor law, discussing specific terms such as aggregated working time, collective agreements, and fixed-term contracts. They also possess knowledge of data policy and the role of state institutions (Statistics Estonia, the Data Protection Inspectorate – AKI) in utilizing register data, referencing the register-based population census.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is critical and analytical, focusing on the logical refutation of the opposing side’s arguments (e.g., distinguishing between freedom of speech and professional competence). The tone is formal and substantive, but concludes with the promise of a strong resistance struggle on behalf of the Social Democrats, if necessary.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The available data is limited to two speeches during a single plenary session, where both the minister's responses to questions and the debate on the draft legislation were addressed. Patterns or frequency cannot be determined based on this data.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary opposition is aimed at the government’s plans (amendments to the Employment Contracts Act) and the minister’s arguments, criticizing both the substance of the policy and professional competence. The resistance is intense, especially concerning the shifting of business risks onto employees and the undermining of worker protection. No willingness to compromise has been expressed; instead, a struggle is being promised.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The style of cooperation is partisan; the speaker represents the positions and values of the Social Democrats, emphasizing what is unacceptable to them. Information regarding a willingness to cooperate or compromise with the opposing side is lacking.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The topics covered (labor law, data policy, the prosecutor's jurisdiction) are national in scope. There is no specific regional focus or references to local projects.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Their economic views lean heavily toward the working class, emphasizing the protection of workers' income stability and opposing the transfer of business risks onto employees. They criticize government plans that make income contingent, especially in a society marked by inequality.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Social issues covered include human rights and victim protection within the context of the prosecutor’s competence (the Pihlakodu case). Furthermore, emphasis is placed on the need to guarantee a stable income for the parent of a child with special needs when working flexibly, opposing government plans that jeopardize this.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The primary legislative focus is the opposition to the government's planned amendments to the Employment Contracts Act, which pose a threat to worker protection. Furthermore, emphasis is placed on the necessity of changing the law and AKI's operational procedures to improve how registry data is utilized for making better decisions.
2 Speeches Analyzed