EXCLUSIVE: Major international arts and entertainment unions, employers, bodies and governments have agreed on their first framework for a decade to improve workers’ rights after a week of tough negotiations in Europe.
The high-level technical meeting, which took place February 13-17 at the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva, Switzerland, was the first for the entertainment biz since 2014, according to the UNI Global Union.
The ILO is a United Nations agency that tries to make work fairer and more just.
Government ministers from several European Union countries, Africa, Asia and Latin America were also present to sign off on the historic blueprint, although no one from either the UK or U.S. governments attended.
The group debated issues such as long hours, low pay and inequalities before drawing their conclusions, which place heavy emphasis on collective bargaining as a tool to improving work conditions.
Philippa Childs, Head of the UK broadcasting union Bectu, and Vice President of UNI Global Union’s Media Entertainment & Arts sector (UNI MEI), said: “We’ve made a lot of progress, ...
...and these conclusions will enable us to put pressure on employers and governments around the key items on our agenda, particularly the issue of long hours in our industries.
The way in which producers, performers and authors are more effectively remunerated for their work for global streamers was another key issue on the agenda.
Today’s move emphasizes the importance of copyright and related rights and calls on governments to ensure payment is fair.
The emergence of AI and new technologies were also discussed at the talks, with SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, saying “Artificial intelligence offers extraordinary possibilities but poses real threats,” as he called for a “human-centred approach.”
Among other provisions, the blueprint calls for strong labour inspection systems to ensure safe and healthy working environments, including addressing violence and harassment ; and investment to create a greener industry.
Broadly, inequality in the sector should be dealt with “through a lens of diversity, equality and inclusion,” today’s document reads. The blueprint will be approved at an ILO meeting next month, at which point it becomes an official document.
Issues such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and inflated living costs have caused further damage to economies.