Contractual issues
Contracts are at the very heart of the relationship between a performer and her/his employer/engager. They define the specific terms and condition of employment as well as the benefits that may (or may not) be expected from the exploitation of the performance. With the exception of high profile performers, most others have very limited bargaining power and regularly have no alternative but to sign up to very unfair contractual clauses – that is to say, unless they are represented by a strong trade union. Such clauses regularly entail a permanent buy-out of intellectual property rights against an upfront, symbolic payment. It is not unusual for performers to sign contracts for services, saving employers costs whilst at the same time redefining their professional status to one of self-employment. A overzealous application of competition law policies may remove from these artists the benefit of core trade union rights, including the right to organise and bargain collectively – on grounds that they would otherwise form a cartel and be fixing market prices artificially.
FIA strongly campaigns for all performers, regardless of the nature of their work relationship, to benefit from core labour rights and trade union representation. The Federation is committed to fighting bogus self-employment, seeking regulatory solutions against abusive and unfair contractual provisions and providing technical support to its members in their struggle to collectively uphold the legitimate interests of professional performers.
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23.02.2023
Unions at ILO: Securing decent work in arts & entertainment
ILO meeting lays foundation for better arts & entertainment jobs globally[more]
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01.10.2020
Event Report from the FIA Webinar on the EU DSA...
The recent EU Digital Services Act consultation (closed Sept 8) examined a range of issues regarding the operation of digital...[more]
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26.10.2018
New Publication: Trade Unions Protecting Self-employed...
For the past two years, FIA has been actively involved in the ETUC project “New Trade Union Strategies for New Forms of Work”,...[more]
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19.01.2018
Life Off-Stage: A Survival Guide for Artists and Cultural...
There is a wealth of resources available, both online and offline, to inform, advise and support artists and cultural...[more]
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21.12.2016
2016 Study: Analysis of the EU Audiovisual Sector Labour...
Read the labour market analysis in English or French and the country reports (in English)Read the executive summary of the labour...[more]
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21.10.2016
FIA unions around the world united with SAG-AFTRA members...
The International Federation of Actors firmly stands by SAG-AFTRA members in the US as they strike to earn very reasonable and...[more]
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09.09.2016
Meeting the challenge of atypical working: Final event and...
The Media, Arts and Entertainment sector has seen significant changes in the structure of the labour market and in the...[more]
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30.10.2015
Adoption of the ‘Law of the Actor’ in Argentina: A...
On the night of 28 October 2015, the ‘Law of the Actor’ (‘Ley del Actor’), officially recognising performers as workers, was...[more]
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30.07.2014
Update of the OECD Model Tax Convention – Substantial...
In fact, Article 17 no longer refers to “Artistes and Sportsmen” but has been changed to “Entertainers and Sportspersons”...[more]
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19.06.2014
Artists' mobility, social security and taxation in the EU...
Brussels, 19th-20th June – FIA participated in the two-day seminar on Artists' mobility, social security and taxation in the EU,...[more]