In July 2025, union leaders and members of FIA, UNI MEI, and PANARTES from across Latin America convened in Mexico City for a three-day regional capacity-building workshop. Hosted by Mexican unions SITATYR and ANDA, the gathering continued the long-standing cooperation between the two federations and brought together a diverse group of representatives committed to advancing labor rights and strengthening union action across the audiovisual and live entertainment sectors.
The workshop began with a welcome session and an in-depth evaluation of the FIA–UNI regional cooperation program for 2020–2025. Participants reflected on the achievements of the joint project funded by Union to Union, assessing the impact of the tools, exchanges, and campaigns developed over the past five years. Delegates discussed the changes introduced within their unions and exchanged views on the challenges that remain. These reflections provided the foundation for a forward-looking conversation on the future of regional collaboration, reaffirming the commitment of Latin American unions to maintain and expand their work together despite the conclusion of external funding.
The opening day also featured separate working sessions for PANARTES and FIA-LA affiliates, allowing each group to focus on organizational priorities, strategies, and collective planning. The day concluded with a visit to Televisa, offering participants a direct insight into the realities and transformations taking place in Mexico’s media landscape.
The second day of the workshop turned its attention to Mexico, the host country. A dedicated session on the development of the national sector brought together trade union leaders, legislators, government representatives, and experts to examine the challenges and opportunities related to social protection for performers and audiovisual workers. With issues such as informality, freelance work, and gaps in social security coverage affecting thousands of workers, the panel highlighted different legislative proposals, institutional approaches, and union initiatives aimed at strengthening access to social protection.
Another central theme of the seminar was the growing impact of streaming productions on labour rights and working conditions. The session emphasized the urgent need for multinational entertainment companies – including global streaming services – to fully respect fundamental labor rights such as freedom of association, collective bargaining, and safe and fair working conditions. Participants discussed strategies to reinforce regional action and to engage the platforms in fair agreements aligned with national labor frameworks.
The afternoon was dedicated to equality and inclusion. Beginning with a presentation on the protection of young workers (especially child performers) the session then shifted to small-group discussions on strategies to strengthen the rights of women, LGBTIQ workers, and racialized professionals. Delegates explored practical measures to promote equal access to employment, prevent discrimination in hiring, and enforce zero-tolerance policies against sexual and gender-based violence. The discussions reaffirmed the unions’ commitment to building workplaces that are safe, inclusive, and equitable.
The final day focused on the rapid expansion of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI). A dedicated round table examined both the risks and opportunities that AI innovations pose for performers, authors, technicians, and other workers in the sector. Experts and union representatives highlighted key concerns related to authorship, image protection, informed consent, artistic integrity, and the preservation of decent work. Participants stressed the need for strong regulatory frameworks and contractual safeguards to ensure that AI serves the interests of workers rather than replacing or undermining them. The discussion also explored how regional union cooperation can bolster collective bargaining power when addressing companies that are increasingly integrating AI into their production processes.
The workshop concluded with the adoption of Charter on fundamental rights and dignity at work in the audiovisual, entertainment and arts sectors, a major political milestone for regional cooperation between FIA-LA and UNI MEI Panartes. The document sets out shared commitments across seven key areas. These include strengthening regional trade union cooperation to build a unified voice defending labor rights in the cultural and audiovisual sectors, and advancing clear demands to multinational companies and streaming platforms to respect trade union freedom, collective bargaining, and responsible business conduct through due diligence.
The Charter also places a strong emphasis on gender equality and diversity, calling for inclusive and discrimination-free work environments; on health, safety and well-being at work, and advocates for fair pay, decent working hours, and the valuation of invisible labor and intellectual property; key issues in reducing persistent pay inequities.
With this Charter, FIA-LA and UNI MEI Panartes reaffirm their leadership in defending labor rights in the audiovisual, entertainment, and arts sectors. The document sets an ambitious agenda for the years ahead – one aimed at ensuring dignified, safe and fair employment for artists, performers, technicians and cultural workers across Latin America.
Charter on fundamental rights and dignity at work in the audiovisual, entertainment and arts sectors in Spanish and Portuguese
Declaration of Solidarity with affiliates in Argentina in Spanish, in Portuguese
