The International Federation of Actors (FIA) has reaffirmed its full solidarity with the Hellenic Actors’ Union (HAU) and professional performers in Greece, who are currently fighting for fair pay and decent working conditions through collective bargaining.
In a formal letter of support available hereunder, FIA underlines that performers, despite working in intermittent and non-standard forms of employment, are highly skilled professionals entitled to the same fundamental labour rights as all workers. These include fair remuneration, safe working environments, protection from discrimination and harassment, and access to social protection systems. Central to securing these rights is the fundamental right to collective bargaining, as recognised by international labour standards and European law.
FIA expresses deep concern that performers in Greece are being required to work without the protection of collective agreements in both live performance and recorded media, despite sustained efforts by HAU to engage in meaningful social dialogue. In the live performance sector, the refusal of employers to negotiate in good faith has forced performers to resort repeatedly to industrial action to defend their most basic rights.
This position has been echoed by performers’ unions around the world. Letters of support from FIA affiliates across different regions demonstrate strong international solidarity with Greek performers and highlight the shared understanding that collective bargaining is indispensable to building fair, sustainable and culturally vibrant performing arts and audiovisual sectors.
FIA and its global membership strongly urge employers in Greece to engage constructively and in good faith with the Hellenic Actors’ Union, with a view to concluding meaningful collective agreements that respect performers’ rights and support the long-term sustainability of the sector.
